A blind veteran from Plymouth, Lee Whitfield, is undertaking a monumental challenge to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. At 49, Lee struggles to walk in a straight line, let alone swim in one. However, he is determined to swim 80 lengths, totaling 2,000 meters, on May 8th at Plympton Swimming Pool. His aim is to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK, a national charity supporting vision-impaired ex-service personnel.

Lee, who will begin his swim at 8 am and hopes to finish by 8 pm, recalls his childhood love of water. Though never a strong swimmer, he always found being in or near water therapeutic. Since losing his sight after a brain haemorrhage in his mid-40s, Lee has struggled with movement, even finding it difficult to walk in a straight line. He describes the challenge as a massive undertaking, as he needs assistance to get in and out of the pool. Once in, he often feels like a human pinball, bouncing off the ropes marking his lane.

Lee lost his sight suddenly and unexpectedly following a brain haemorrhage. What he thought was a simple Sunday nap turned into a coma, and when he woke up, he discovered he had lost his sight. The realization was terrifying, and he faced months of isolation during the Covid lockdown. However, his life changed when he received a call from a Community Support Worker at Blind Veterans UK. The charity offered him support, which he initially hesitated to accept. Over time, however, Blind Veterans UK gave Lee the tools, confidence, and skills to face his new life.

“Blind Veterans UK has been amazing,” Lee says. “They’ve provided me with counselling, technology, and the emotional support I needed. Having them by my side has made me feel safe. This challenge is my way of giving back to the charity and honoring those who sacrificed so much during World War II. We must never forget their contribution.”

Lee set himself a fundraising target of £80 but has already exceeded it. Now, he is excited to see how much more he can raise for the charity. You can support Lee’s swim by visiting his fundraising page: justgiving.com/page/leesswimathon.

VE Day, celebrated on May 8, marks the day in 1945 when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. Lee’s swim serves as a tribute to those who fought and sacrificed for the freedom we enjoy today.