Soldier’s amazing recovery is inspiration to others

Cpl Reid, 35, of 3 Yorks, lost both legs and an arm in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2009.

Yet his recovery since, which has been heavily supported by ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity, has been nothing short of remarkable.

Months after suffering his injuries he managed to walk on to a stage on prosthetic legs to collect his service medal in front of stunned friends and family.

He has since completed a tandem skydive to fundraise for ABF, and danced with his bride at their wedding in September

Meanwhile, last month he was awarded the Young Personality of the Year at the Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards.

Cpl Reid’s recovery, which saw him battle through up to six hours of physiotherapy each day, has also been an inspiration to the soldiers in the 3rd Battalion, many of whom were devastated by his injury at the time.

Platoon Sergeant Sean Pears, 30, served with Cpl Reid in Afghanistan in 2009, and is currently preparing alongside his fellow 3 Yorks soldiers to head out to Afghanistan again next year.

“It was a devastating injury for Andy and the message got passed around when we were there,” said Sgt Pears, who recently completed a 24-hour hike in aid of ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity and was met by Cpl Reid at the end of the challenge.

“But how he has got his life back on track since has been amazing.

“I do see the ABF as the main Armed Forces charity for us and it was a big help to him.

“Last time (in Afghanistan) we had contact with the enemy on a daily basis. I am looking forward to going out there again.

“For a lot of the soldiers here this will be their first time in Afghanistan. I try to give my experience as one of the older ones, but it is moving along so quickly out there.”