A blind veteran from Benson has shared his excitement to be staying at a new Centre of Wellbeing, describing himself as "more excited than a kiddie at Christmas".
Terry Rogers, 88, has been benefiting from the support of Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired former service members, since losing his sight.
The newly established centre in Rustington, West Sussex, was formerly owned by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, but is now run by Blind Veterans UK.
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As a one-time RAF Aircraftman, Mr Rogers had spent many memorable times at the property.
He and his partner, Joyce, were deeply saddened when it was closed.
Mrs Rogers said: "When we were told that the RAF Benevolent Fund was closing the centre in Rustington, I sat on the sofa and sobbed.
"I couldn’t bear the thought that we would never go back as we had so many lovely holidays there.
"We were so excited to get back here and to see what Blind Veterans UK has done to the place."
Mr Rogers served for five years as a ground wireless engineer primarily in Egypt and the Middle East during his time with the RAF.
He said: "I spent two years of my service living in a tent in the desert, there were millions of flies in my tent and sandstorms occurred frequently.
"It was not the most pleasant place to be."
After losing his vision due to a series of unfortunate medical conditions, Mr Rogers found himself dealing with severe frustrations.
"I was involved in amateur radio but I could no longer do morse code and my other love was woodcarving which I could no longer do.
"Life becomes frustrating at times."
His life took a turn when a hospital consultant asked about his military service and advised him to contact Blind Veterans UK.
Mr Rogers said: "Finding out about Blind Veterans UK has been life-changing for us.
"Everyone at the charity bends over backwards to help."
The charity has offered him aids like a bright reading lamp and a magnifying reader, which have significantly eased his life.
He added: "Knowing how kind everyone at Blind Veterans UK is, means we have no qualms at all about the charity moving into our beloved centre at Rustington."
Lesley Garven, centre manager, said: "It’s so wonderful to welcome Terry and Joyce to our lovely new Wellbeing Centre in Rustington.
"Both were regular visitors when it was Princess Marina House, and it is heartening to know that they approve of all the changes we have made over the last year whilst the centre was being refurbished."
Blind Veterans UK is dedicated to aiding thousands of blind veterans across the country.
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