Eight-year-old Mia Jackson-Goodall already aspires to join the Royal Airforce, inspired by her Grandad Brian Goodhall who served in Seuz Canal Crisis.
“As the second lockdown also prevented me from doing Remembrance Day, I asked my Mum if we could do something from home,” Mia said.
“I had two Blind Veterans teddy bears and decided they needed a new home because who doesn’t love a cuddle from a teddy at times like this. My Mum did an online fundraiser, and we had a target of making £30 per bear, but within 24 hours we had made £100.”
Mia reminisced on memories of laying wreaths in her Girl Guides Uniform with her blind Grandad at the Ossett cenotaph, when the family gathered for a safe Remembrance Day ceremony in their home.
“Blind Veterans UK is important to me as it offers support to ex-Armed Forces who have lost some, or all of their sight. By raising money, I can help provide them with equipment that gives them some independence to do normal things like make a cup of tea or read as the equipment assists,” she said.
“My Grandad has a measuring device he puts on a cup. When he fills it up it makes this noise, but he still makes a mess occasionally.”
When the names of the Fallen were unveiled on the Ossett Fallen Heroes Memorial, Mia was chosen to representing Dimplewell Infant School and read some names out of the Ossett Fallen.
“I have adopted two of them, and place a cross each year with their names on to remember them,” she said.
Brian lost his sight seven years ago due to macular degeneration, but Mia said it hasn’t stopped him being the “best Grandad ever!”
“I’m also very proud of everything he does as losing his sight has not stopped him doing things he loves like archery, taking photos and even driving. He had an exhibition last year in Wakefield Cathedral and his photos were really good. He also goes to Llandudno to the Blind Veterans’ home and enjoys things like driving in a controlled environment,” she said.
You can still donate to the blind veterans via their social media pages or via the charity’s website: https://www.blindveterans.org.uk.
