A BLIND veteran has shared her joy at taking part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Betty Tring, who lives at the Blind Veterans UK’s rehabilitation and training centre in Brighton, designed bunting for Her Majesty’s big weekend.
More than 50 veterans took part in the project, with the designs printed on special cotton Jubilee shopping bags.
The 96-year-old said she had never done arts and crafts before, but enjoyed taking part in the occasion.
She said: “I take part in all the projects on offer and enjoy them all.
"I will carry my Jubilee bag with pride, and I thank the arts and crafts staff for their care and patience.”
Ken Hobbs, 99, who also lives at the centre in Brighton, said he was delighted with his bag.
He said: “The bags really are very nice. The design I did was based on the cross of St George, so the colours are red and white. I’m looking forward to showing it to my sons.”
Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who is now the charity’s patron, also joined in.
HRH designed bunting decorated with a yellow crown pattern and purple stripes.
The Queen was a patron of Blind Veterans UK from 1952 to 2016, with the charity continuing to “hold a special place in its heart” for Her Majesty.
The charity is also hosting a series of jubilee lunches, singing and dancing, games and competition to mark her 70-year reign.
A spokesman for the charity said: “Blind Veterans UK staff, volunteers and blind veterans across the country will be taking part in countless exciting events in Her Majesty’s honour.
“The charity’s National Creative Project (NCP) team, set up at the start of the first lockdown to support blind veterans with creative activities at home, also wanted to mark the occasion and leave a lasting legacy for this historic time.
“In January, they started working on a ‘Jubilee bunting on a bag’ activity with blind veterans were invited to design bunting for Her Majesty’s big weekend.
“More than 50 blind veterans took part in the project, each producing bunting designs fit for a queen.”
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