A BLIND RAF veteran has taken to Facebook and Skype at the age of 95, thanks to a military charity.

Robert “Bob” Feltham, who served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, lost much of his sight due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) last year.

“To hear that I was going to lose my sight was devastating, absolutely devastating,” he said, “It was a very difficult thing to be told.”

But the widower and father-of-two, from Stanley, County Durham, was put in touch with Blind Veterans UK, which provided free IT training, an adapted keyboard and specialist software.

He is now mastering using Skype and Facebook to keep in touch with friends and fellow veterans.

“I would recommend Blind Veterans UK to any vision-impaired veteran,” he said.

“The support and advice has made a big difference to me. I’d urge other veterans to get in contact, all you’ve got to do is ask.

“I’m no hero, I’m just an ordinary fella who, thanks to Blind Veterans UK, has found a life after losing my sight.

“I’m delighted with the computer and IT training I’ve been given by Blind Veterans UK. My IT instructor has been absolutely marvellous and I now feel confident using the computer.”

Mr Feltham joined the RAF in 1941, aged 19, and served in the UK and North Africa.

“I don’t like talking about the war much but felt lucky coming out of it alive and in one piece. The only thing it shot was my nerves,” he said.

Having been discharged in 1946, he worked mining coal, shovelling snow and with coke ovens before joining a ball bearing factory, where he stayed for 20 years.

As an ex-serviceman with severe sight loss, Mr Feltham is eligible for free, life-long support from Blind Veterans UK, which was formerly known as St Dunstan’s. For more information, call 0800-389-7979 or visit noonealone.org.uk