A DUMBARTON veteran living with sight loss has told of his gratitude towards a service helping keep people active and engaged as he put his crafting skills to the test.

Tommy Carruthers spoke out after he helped build a commemorative bench to say thank you to a bowling which has made him – and others in his position – welcome over the past few years.

Tommy, who was a lance corporal in the army, has vascular disease, brought on by type one diabetes. He was part of a team of veterans to make the bench for Hawkhead Bowling Club in Paisley, thanks to woodwork sessions at Sight Scotland Veterans’ Hawkhead Centre, with the bench gifted on Tuesday, March 21.

Tommy commented: “We absolutely love going up to the bowling club, and before Covid we were up there any chance we could. We have always been made so welcome and cannot wait to go back in April.

“When we go to the club, we always bring a pack lunch and eat outside sitting on one of the benches. This is where the idea first came from to create a commemorative bench for the club.

“We wanted to do something to say thank you for all the hospitality they have given us over the years. It will be great to think when the bowling season starts again, that we can all go back up and actually sit on the bench we have made.”

The veterans at the Hawkhead Centre have enjoyed bowling since the centre opened in 2017, and pre-Covid they would visit the Bowling Club regularly and were always made to feel very welcome. This April will be the first time the veterans have been able to return to the club since restrictions have been lifted.

The Hawkhead Centre, which opened in 2017, is an activity hub for veterans with sight loss to re-engage in the local community, rebuild confidence and regain or maintain their independence.  It offers the means and support to adapt to life with sight loss and try new things. 

Alison Gray, deputy centre manager at the Hawkhead Centre, commented: “We are always looking for opportunities to be involved within our local community. The veterans love their visits to Hawkhead Bowling Club and this was a brilliant way of showing their gratitude to the club who we have such a wonderful relationship with.

“The bowling visits are always very popular, and it is great to see the camaraderie and friendships which have blossomed between our veterans as a result. We really can’t thank the bowling club enough for their continued support over the past few years and we hope to be able to enjoy many more visits to the club in the future.”

For more information visit sightscotlandveterans.org.uk.