Celebrations at last for inspirational injured veterans at fundraiser
It was night of music, smiles and celebration, even though some of the people in the crowd had gone through some of the most traumatic experiences of war.
Veterans from across the West Midlands came together to share their life-changing experiences of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq as part of a charity fundraiser for Help for Heroes. More than £2,000 was raised on the night.
The event revealed some of the harrowing experiences suffered by the veterans who are still on the road to recovery.
Scott Yarrington, aged 31, of Bloxwich was in the army in 2005, with the Irish Guards. He served in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2010. Whilst in Afghanistan on December 29, 2010, he was in charge of searching for improvised explosive devices along a bridge area when he stepped on one, losing both his legs.
Mr Yarrington said: "I just started screaming then, because the pain was hitting me. I woke up in the QE hospital in Birmingham."
He spent two months in the QE, before being transferred to Headley Court – the specialist defence medical rehabilitation centre near Surrey.
At the start of May 2011 he met his now fiancée Rachel Andrews, aged 28, and the pair later had son Alfie, aged three, following IVF treatment. He is now helping young cadets learn the ropes as part of the Mercian Regiment.
His inspirational story was one of many on the night.
Clive Smith, aged 31, who lives in Walsall, also stepped on an explosive device when he was in Afghanistan on October 13, 2010. He lost both legs. Despite being conscious throughout the ordeal, Sapper Smith's main concern was the wellbeing of his comrades, who rushed to his aid as he lay bleeding in the battlefield. Within 36 hours he was flown to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Mr Smith, a Wolves fan originally from Cannock, was later transferred to Headley Courtand also spent time at the Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall. The centre, funded by the Royal British Legion, helps sick and wounded service personnel recover.
Since getting his artificial legs, he has competed in the men's hand bike time trial, IHB2 class, at the Invictus Games at the Olympic Park in London. He has also continued supporting the Wolves where has presented the match ball and been named Championship fan of the month.
In 2012 he was chosen as the face of the Royal British Legion's National Poppy Appeal which he described as 'giving a little something back'.
Speaking of what it meant to be at the charity fundraiser, Mr Smith said: "I think it's important for us to come together like this to raise the profile of Help for Heroes and also to show people that there is life after serious injury."
Dave Watson, of Birmingham, aged 30, was in Afghanistan in 2010 when he was on patrol, tasked to find an improvised explosive device. He was the 50th man in a group of 53, and turned to help a fellow solider who had fallen down. As he twisted to turn, he took a wrong step on to the explosive device. He lost both legs and his right forearm.
Mr Watson has since undergone extensive rehabilitation and has not let his injuries hold him back. After a £120,000 operation in Australia, funded by his compensation from the army, to give him high-quality prosthetic legs, he has completed 15 skydives, five abseils, and goes water skiing and regular skiing. He is also a respected discus, shot-put and javelin thrower. He is in training for both the Invictus Games and the Paralympic Games in 2020.
Organiser Andy Sawyer said: "It was absolutely unbelievable, we raised £2,180.
"Half will go to Team Ditcher Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2017 which takes place in September next year – in aid of Help the Heroes. We will and donating the other half to Veterans' Lifeline.
"We had the idea for this in February, and though it's taken a while to organise, we really wanted to do something that brought everyone together.
"It's not often that veterans have a chance to meet up and talk about their experiences, but also raise money for a good cause and ultimately, have a good time, so I'm really pleased with how everything has gone."
Veterans' Lifeline has been set up by former solider Nick Perry, aged 41, of Liverpool who joined the army at 16 and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He set up the charity to help veterans struggling with post-traumatic-stress-disorder and other issues to overcome their difficulties."
