A brave 91-year-old Kilmarnock RAF veteran is the star of a new TV advert for a leading sight loss charity.
Archery enthusiast Jim McPike is set to hit the STV airwaves in an uplifting advert in aid of Sight Scotland Veterans.
Jim, who completed his National Service with the RAF from 1949 to 1951, is seen in the scene saluting a fellow serviceman while on the dancefloor.
Jim, who was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, was thrilled to take part in the ad.
He said: “I was surprised that they put make-up on my face, with brushes. I laughed my head off; if my wife could see me now.
"It was great fun and I really enjoyed it.
“Anyone who was in the Armed Forces and now has eye problems, I would encourage them to get in touch with Sight Scotland Veterans. I was amazed at the amount of equipment they had which could help me.
“I hadn’t read a newspaper for years, but now, with the special magnifier, I can read a newspaper again."
The TV advert was filmed at the Linburn Centre in West Lothian — one of Sight Scotland Veterans’ activity centres — that helps veterans regain their independence and build crucial social connections.
Keen archer Jim has kept up his archery at the charities Hawkhead Centre and even donated three homemade bows to the centre’s stock of equipment for other veterans to use.
Jim added: “I’ve been doing archery all my life. I made my own bows using yew wood or ash wood. The wooden ones I’ve made are a lot lighter than modern bows. They can be used by more people.
“When I did my National Service with the RAF, I was posted to a training camp at Moreton-in-the-Marsh, on the edge of the Cotswolds, and I trained as a Medical Orderly. I had a bow and I used to go into the woods and practice.
“We used to shoot rabbits in open fields, places with small hillocks, where their burrows were. You’d have to be patient, sit and wait, because when they see you, they’re off.
“If you get within 20 yards, you have a good chance of hitting a rabbit.
“I’d add vegetables and make a stew. I’d also hunt pheasants and they’d go in the oven.”
Sight Scotland Veterans offers support to all veterans with sight loss based in Scotland – including those who served National Service.
To find out more about the support Sight Scotland Veterans offers, call 0800 035 6409, email hello@sightscotlandveterans.org.uk or visit sightscotlandveterans.org.uk
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