American and British servicemen honour inventor who protected them and gave away millions to charity

IT was the kind of send-off usually reserved for a military hero.

And to many, entrepreneur Jimi Heselden was just that – a largely unsung hero whose simple invention has been credited with saving countless soldiers’ lives and whose generosity helped change many more.

So it was fitting that two soldiers, one American and one British, were among those leading the tributes to Mr Heselden at his funeral yesterday.

US Army Sergeant David McGregor, who flew in from Texas, credited the Leeds businessesman’s invention – a blast wall basket – for saving his life during a mortar attack in Iraq in 2004.

And Brigadier Shaun Burley, of the Royal Engineers, said: “His legacy is that he saved lives. His invention provides fantastic protection and has undoubtedly saved lives.”

They were among an estimated 1,500 people who paid tribute to the former Yorkshire miner turned millionaire philanthropist who died when he fell while riding a Segway scooter made by his own company.

Mr Heselden’s family, friends and employees gathered at his Hesco Bastion factory at Cross Green Industrial Estate in Leeds – the plant that produces the troop protection basket he invented and which made his fortune.

His friend Chris Robinson, part of Hesco’s management, told the service: “It’s a great honour to talk about a great man. He was a friend, a hero, legend.

“There’s not enough descriptive words to talk about Jimi.”

Several speakers remembered how 62-year-old Mr Heselden’s invention became a lifesaver for troops around the world and how the tycoon, who lived at Boston Spa, near Wetherby, West Yorkshire, used his wealth to help a range of charitable projects.

He was most associated with charities which helped people in his home city of Leeds and also Help For Heroes, which looks after injured soldiers.

The Rev Tony Thompson, who led the service, said: “He never forgot his roots. East Leeds always had a special place in his heart. He was so proud of his home city.”

Mr Heselden was brought up on the Halton Moor estate in Leeds, left school at 15 and worked in three pits in the city before he started his own firm.

The businessman made his fortune when his firm developed the blast wall basket as a replacement for traditional sandbags.

Last year he led a British team which bought the US-based Segway company, which makes and distributes the distinctive two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters.

Mr Heselden was reported to have been worth 166m but was also a well-known philanthropist, giving millions of pounds to charities.

One of the causes closest to Mr Heselden’s heart was Help for Heroes. Bryn Parry, its co-founder, said Mr Heselden was the charity’s biggest benefactor.

He remembered one occasion when the businessman could not make an event at Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey – but sent a colleague with an envelope containing a cheque for 1m.

On another occasion Mr Heselden successfully bid 1.5m to win a flight with the Red Arrows team.

Mr Parry said: “He gave so much. He was our greatest benefactor.”

Mr Parry said that just a few weeks ago Mr Heselden had been talking about donating some Segway scooters to help injured American troops get around. Typically, Mr Heselden wanted the donation to go unreported.

“He didn’t want fanfare or media,” he said. “He had a natural affinity for servicemen, coming from a working class background he just understood the normal bloke. He was a thoroughly good man and we will miss him terribly.”

The funeral service took place in a specially constructed marquee complex in the yard at the Hesco factory. Employees lined the route as the cortege arrived. A Yorkshire Regiment bugler sounded The Last Post.

Giant screens showed dozens of pictures from Mr Heselden’s life and his niece, Melanie, read tributes, including one from a Bastion worker: “You must have saved or changed many people’s lives without even making any big deal of it... what a remarkable guy.”

After the service, mourners led by Mr Heselden’s wife Julie watched as 1,000 green balloons were released which bore the words “A hero to the heroes”.

Mr Heselden died on September 26 when he fell from a cliff by the River Wharf in Boston Spa on a Segway.

[email protected]