THE mother of an Army veteran from the Bradford district who lost his sight to a brain tumour is urging the families of other veterans who have lost their sight to seek help from Blind Veterans UK.

Mark Heaume, from Liversedge, joined the Army at 16 years old and served as a Lance Corporal, working as a crewman on Challenger 2 tanks.

He was discharged in 2006 after suffering bad headaches, which was when it was discovered he had a brain tumour.

The now 34-year-old had a benign tumour called a colloid cyst, which caused his condition to worsen leading to him falling into a coma.

When he woke from the coma, he was told he had lost his sight.

His mother, Elizabeth Heaume, 66, said: “Mark was depressed when he came out of hospital.

“He would get so frustrated that he couldn’t do what he used to be able to. He would just sit in the corner of his room and wouldn’t move all day.”

In 2012 Mrs Heaume was told about Blind Veterans UK by a friend, and she got in touch with the charity on behalf of her son.

Mr Heaume started to receive the charity’s free services and lifelong support in May 2012.

“When Blind Veterans UK told me they would support Mark for the rest of his life, I cried,” added Mrs Heaume.

“It felt as if a weight had been lifted. I know that the charity will always be there for my son and that is a huge relief.”

Her son received practical and emotional support at one of the charity’s rehabilitation centres, and got to learn new skills including kayaking and archery.

“I am so proud of everything Mark has achieved since he lost his sight.

Thanks to Blind Veterans UK he has his confidence back. I don’t know how we would have managed without their support.”

Mrs Heaume is now encouraging other military families to get in touch with the charity to seek its specialist support.

“Before Blind Veterans UK Mark felt like he had nothing to look forward to but now his outlook has completely changed, he is back to being himself again.

“Words cannot how grateful I am for their support.”

If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces and is now battling severe sight loss, call 0800 389 7979 or visit noonealone.org.uk.