A group of veterans have made a commemorative bench to thank members of a Renfrewshire bowling club for their support.

The gift was handed to representatives from Hawkhead Bowling Club during a presentation at Sight Scotland Veterans’ Hawkhead Centre, in Paisley.

Before the Covid pandemic, veterans at the centre regularly visited the Paisley club but April will be the first time they have been able to return since restrictions have been lifted.

As a thank-you, some of them decided to make a commemorative bench while taking part in woodwork sessions.

Tommy Carruthers, one of the veterans who took part, said: “We absolutely love going to the bowling club and, before Covid, we were up there any chance we could get.

"We have always been made so welcome and cannot wait to go back in April.

“When we go to the club, we always bring a packed lunch and eat outside, sitting on one of the benches. This is where the idea first came from to create a commemorative bench for the club.

"We wanted to do something to say thank-you for all the hospitality they have given us over the years.

"It will be great to think that, when the bowling season starts again, we can all go back up and actually sit on the bench we have made.”

Tommy, who was a lance corporal in the army, now has vascular disease due to type 1 diabetes.

He enjoys woodwork classes at the Hawkhead Centre, as it allows him to maintain a hobby he thought he would never be able to do again when he lost his eyesight.

Fellow veterans Peter Ramsay and Jim Stevenson helped him make the commemorative bench.

Alison Gray, deputy manager at the Hawkhead Centre, said: “We are always looking for opportunities to be involved within our local community.

"The veterans love their visits to Hawkhead Bowling Club and this was a brilliant way of showing their gratitude.

"The bowling visits are always very popular and it is great to see the camaraderie and friendships which have blossomed between our veterans as a result.

"We really can’t thank the bowling club enough for their continued support over the past few years and we hope to be able to enjoy many more visits in the future.”

Moira Bryan, executive chair of Hawkhead Bowling Club, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Sight Scotland Veterans’ Hawkhead Centre and are looking forward to welcoming the veterans again when the bowling season starts in April.

"Our bowling club prides itself on its inclusivity and, in the future, we may consider introducing a special membership category for people with a visual impairment.

“We cannot thank the veterans enough for donating the commemorative bench to the club and we hope as many of them as possible will come down to enjoy a game of bowls and have a seat on the bench at the side of the green.”

The Hawkhead Centre, which opened in 2017, is an activity hub for veterans with sight loss to re-engage in the local community, rebuild confidence and regain or maintain their independence.

With a variety of activities and outings, it offers the means and support to adapt to life with sight loss and try new things.

For more information, visit https://sightscotlandveterans.org.uk