As most of you are now aware we changed our name from St Dunstan’s to Blind Veterans UK on 21^st February 2012, and it was a day full of celebrations and amazing events that surpassed all expectations.

If you missed the action, here’s a round up, you can also hear it on Audioboo, plus here’s a blow by blow account of what happened in our different centres across the country on the day.

First thing in the morning The Royal Marines arrived at Ovingdean, our centre in Brighton, to great excitement.

By 10.30 they had scaled the building before abseiling down to reveal our new name above the entrance.

 

 

You can see more photos here, and the video of them abseiling down the front of the building can be seen here.

The events in Sheffield swiftly followed suit, and at 11am a bomb disposal robot, known as ‘The Wheelbarrow’, thrilled the onlookers as it carefully unveiled the plaque on the front of the building.

Many thanks to the soldiers of the 521 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, based at the nearby Catterick Garrison, for ‘accompanying’ this amazing bit of kit, we feel very privileged to have had its assistance. You can see more pictures here and here.

 

The focus then shifted to our Llandudno centre, where the excitement was palatable as the Sea King helicopter arrived from RAF Valley, Anglesey with our brand new colours on board!

Our very own Mr Billy Baxter stepped forward to do the honours.

The St Dunstan’s flag was ceremoniously lowered and Billy deftly raised the new flag like a pro.

There are more videos on our channel on YouTube (lots of the helicopter itself!) and you can also see some great photos here and here.

 

The day was then celebrated with tea parties across the country, and much cake was consumed by everyone.

The Dave Masters band provided the entertainment in Brighton, while at our Newcastle centre Lesley Hall, the centre’s Welfare Support Officer, was the roving DJ, supplying the music while the residents and their guests enjoyed a finger buffet.

Lesley played some great tunes from The Glenn Miller Band, to which Veteran Tom Bryden and his wife Amy (left) very much enjoyed dancing!

 

 

 

In London at HQ we had a cake competition, and greeted our newly branded London Taxi, which looks every bit as handsome as we hoped.

We are very much hoping it will help raise awareness of our new name across the capital, especially as it’s the London Olympics in a few months!

 

Thank you to the military for kindly helping us make it really special and a true day to remember, and to all our fantastic supporters for helping us #Raisetheflags and spread the word for our blind veterans throughout the day.