Charity, Culture | Posted on October 30th, 2025 | return to news

Blind Dorset veteran makes candles to mark Remembrance

Tony Haskey from Poole is giving half the profits from his commemorative Remembrance Day candles to a military charity.

A blind veteran living in Dorset has made a special batch of scented candles to commemorate Remembrance and plans to give half of his profits to the military charity that has supported him since he lost his sight.

Tony Haskey, a 65-year-old from Poole, has made a special version of his Rock Salt & Driftwood candle which includes a space on the label to write the name of a person being remembered. Each candle comes with a complimentary wax poppy and Haskey is donating 50 per cent of the profits to Blind Veterans UK.

Haskey previously raised £2,000 for the charity when he sold candles commemorating VE Day 80.

He said: “Making candles helps me focus my thoughts and emotions into something beautiful, and I often think about the warmth and light they bring, just like the support Blind Veterans UK offers to veterans.

“The charity has been a constant source of encouragement, helping me stay connected to my craft and reminding me of the importance of honouring those who gave so much.”

“I hope people can light a candle, reflect on those who gave their lives for us, and feel that the flame is burning in their memory. That would mean a lot to me.”

Haskey first joined the Royal Marines at 16 years old. Later in his career, while serving on an operation overseas, he felt something was wrong with his vision. A medic advised that he had an incurable eye condition and was told to return to the UK.

On his return to the UK, Tony was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that worsens over time and can cause affects such as night blindness and narrowed peripheral vision.

He recalled: “I was feeling very low. I had to come back to the UK on my own and leave my comrades behind.

“I was 27 at the time and my world just collapsed. I was devastated. I went home from the hospital and tried to take in what I’d been told. I got depressed and felt like that was the end for me. The career I’d worked hard for was suddenly gone. I didn’t know what jobs I could do. I felt scared and alone.”

Then in 1993, he discovered Blind Veterans UK which helps vision-impaired ex-Service men and women rebuild their lives after sight loss. Haskey began receiving the charity’s support and was sent to the charity’s rehabilitation centre to attend a six-week course, which included basic housekeeping, cooking and computer literacy skills.

Haskey said: “When I arrived at the centre, I had no confidence, no sense of worth and no belief in myself. I didn’t expect to feel so welcomed, and I ended up learning more than I thought I would. Every day of the course felt like a fresh start. I missed my family, but I knew that by investing that time in myself, I might be able to find a new path.”

Since losing his sight, Haskey has found several ways to adapt his candle-making process. “I use talking scales to measure the fragrance I’m using, and I buy wax in blocks of set weights so I can cut them to size consistently. I also use my magnifier to read the labels on the fragrance bottles, so I know exactly what I’m working with.”

Tony’s candle costs £9.99 and can be purchased from seabreezecandles.co.uk.

Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country. If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then get in touch by calling 0800 389 7979 or visiting blindveterans.org.uk/gethelp.