Blind and vision-impaired veterans from the UK took part in a special art exhibition and competition last month (October) as part of a project run by Blind Veterans UK. 

The exhibition included over 30 pieces of art and was held at the charity's centre in Brighton to showcase art created by those it supports, as well as staff and volunteers.

The competition was won by Colin Gibbs from Wrexham. The former Reverend, aged 81, was commended for his use of light and shade in his painting entitled 'Autumn Afternoon'. 

Colin definitely wasn't expecting to win, telling Charity News today “I don’t think I’ve ever won anything in my life before. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Between 1953 and 1955, Colin served as a sergeant in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. It wasn't until much later in life that he began to lose his sight due to age-related macular degeneration, which is one of the leading causes of sight loss in ageing people.

“I began to lose my sight in 1995. I remember driving home one evening and my vision was blurred, I could also see two of everything. It has gradually got worse since then and now I can only really make out movement," he said.

In 2003, he started to get support from Blind Veterans UK after being told about the charity by SSAFA, the Military Charity. He had previously worried that losing his sight would be hugely damaging to his life, but after working with Blind Veterans UK, he grew in confidence. 

He had loved to paint before he started losing his vision but hadn't done so in years. The charity helped him brush up on his skills, with Colin attending art weeks at the charity's Llandudno centre to learn about new techniques and materials. 

The piece he entered into the competition was not the only thing Colin has painted. He is planning on holding an exhibition in February to showcase more of his works. ADNFCR-2867-ID-801827849-ADNFCR

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