Largs veteran John Hutchinson will amazingly have his sight restored through the purchase of ground-breaking new tech glasses by the end of this month,

It comes after after a 'News' campaign earlier this year to publicise an appeal to raise funds for the OAP's 'super specs'.

The Largs branch of Royal British Legion Scotland contacted the 'News' concerning John's plight, and as a result, Thistle legends George Wall and Stephen Quigg got in touch to set up a football charity match, and The Fish Works takeaway also carried out a prize draw fundraiser, while the Legion themselves also donated £1500 towards the new specs.

And after the successful venture, OxSight Prism Glasses have helped the Legion member to gain visual independence again after 10 years.

A thrilled John said: "The Largs branch of the Royal British Legion have done a marvellous job, and I am so grateful to Largs Thistle F.C and The Fishworks for all their fundraisers, and also all the individual people who have donated.

"I would like to thank the Largs and Millport Weekly News who have done a great job, and I would like to thank all the readers who have helped in any way. God bless."

John started to go blind 10 years ago and came to rely on his guide dog Bracken.

In 2008 whilst travelling home from Africa, John noticed something wrong with his vision. On his return he visited an optician.

However, by this time, it was too late to rectify. He was suffering with retinal thrombosis. His diagnosis is a direct result of parasites infesting his bloodstream whilst serving with the United Nations.

Two years ago, John was given a trial pair of super specs created by university boffins but had them taken away following the test run. The brief restoration of John's vision had the then 88 year old 'jumping for joy' and he was able to see his wife again.

OxSight Prism glasses are designed to allow people with peripheral vision loss (caused by conditions such as Glaucoma, Diabetes, Retinitis Pigmentosa and other degenerative eye diseases) and other low vision conditions to get the most out of their remaining vision; and to feel confident making sense of their surroundings. Using intelligent image interpretation algorithms plus micro-OLED displays to bring images into the field-of-view for the user, the glasses are designed for comfortable wear. Users can see faces of family and friends when socialising, recognise objects, hazards, read signs, manage money, see colour and enjoy hobbies.

John’s involvement with the Royal British Legion Scotland led his funding to begin, after he mentioned he would ‘‘sell his medals to fund the glasses’’. The astonished Largs branch members proposed that they would donate money; and the rest was crowdfunded.

Chairman at the time Stuart Rumble, ensured that the crowdfunding was given plenty of exposure with the 'News'.

John’s story touched the hearts of the locals in his area and donations started to flood in. They had a huge help from the Largs Thistle Football Club, who held a charity football match of older fans and former players.

Ruth Gregory from the Royal British Legion Scotland, mentioned they were ‘‘overwhelmed and delighted’’ that their initial target had been exceeded; allowing John the full funding to purchase the OxSight Prism glasses.

The technology was then fine-tuned and made ready for John's use, and he will be receiving his Oxsight Prism glasses on 30 August from Ferrier & MacKinnon Optometrists, Dunfermline.

John and Bracken are pictured with Graeme Shield, practice manager at Ferrier and MacKinnon

Pic: David Wardle