A BLIND veteran from Herefordshire has been skiing in Canazei, Italy, with other vision-impaired Armed Forces veterans thanks to national military charity Blind Veterans UK.

Bill James, 44 and from Leominster, skied in the Dolomites with 24 other vision-impaired skiers as part of the charity's 41st annual skiing trip.

Bill says: "I've being skiing with my wife before but this time was very different. We were in a big group and there was lots of jokes and banter. I really enjoyed it because all of us blind veterans share the same mentality."

Enlisting in the Army in 1990, Bill served in the Royal Signals until he was discharged as a Signaller in 1997. During his time in Service Bill delivered high security communications for the military, but the majority of his career was spent playing and coaching hockey.

Bill explains: "I played at all different levels of the sport during my time in the Army and I absolutely loved it. Thinking back on my time in the Forces I miss the variety, the camaraderie, the travel and that brand of Forces humour."

Bill was diagnosed with a giant tumour in 2003. Doctors told him that he had actually had the growth for twelve years and was extremely lucky to still be alive. Sadly, Bill's vision was damaged by the growth and eventual removal of the tumour.

Bill says: "The first thing the tumour affected was my hearing, and I became deaf in my left ear when I was about 18. Then many years later it started to affect my balance, it wasn't until about six months before diagnosis that I was aware of problems, at which point I went to see my GP.

"The surgical team didn't tell me of the risk beforehand (about a 1 in 5 chance of post-operative survival) to protect me psychologically. But afterwards, when they told me that my vision had been damaged I accepted it straight away. You can't do too much about things like this and acceptance is a very important part of your recovery. There is an old saying in the Army - If you don't mind, then it doesn't matter. It is key to remember that life is a gift and also it is what you make it."

Fortunately in 2017, Bill started to receive support from Blind Veterans UK. Since then he has being given training, equipment and IT support. He has also started attending different sports activities with other blind veterans.

Bill says: "Taking part in sports activities like sailing and skiing is amazing because it puts me in touch with other young beneficiaries like me. It's extraordinary how generous the charity is; we got so much support, from equipment to training and even grants. Whenever I'm with other people in the charity there's a great atmosphere."

Blind Veterans UK is the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, providing vital practical and emotional support to help veterans discover life beyond sight loss.

The charity is reaching out to the estimated 220 vision-impaired ex-Service men and women in Herefordshire county battling severe sight loss who could be eligible for support but don't currently realise it. Most of these veterans completed their service many years ago, and have since lost their sight due to conditions such as macular degeneration or glaucoma.

If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces or did National Service and is now battling severe sight loss, find out how Blind Veterans UK could help by calling 0800 389 7979 or visiting blindveterans.org.uk