Veteran amputees ride through Colchester (From Essex County Standard)

Veteran amputees ride through Colchester

8:58am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News

VETERAN amputees stopped off in Colchester as part of their cycle across East Anglia for charity.

Dave Watson, Kelvin Daniels and Steve Gill, all from the UK, arrived at Abbeyfields, on Tuesday as for their 250-mile ride for Soldier Ride UK.

They are part of around 30 limbless veterans from the UK and America raising awareness about the challenges amputees face after amputation.

Guardsman Dave Watson, of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, said it was great to join in the event.

The 26-year-old from Preston lost both legs and his right arm in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2010.

He said: “When I was injured I didn’t think I would be able to do anything like this again, but I’ve been cycling, skiing and waterskiing and carried both the Olympic and Paralympic torches.

“As wounded soldiers we help each other through our injuries.”

The ride kicked off at Sandringham on October 6 and will finish at the Cutty Sark, in Greenwich, London, on October 11.

The ride was organised by ABF the Soldiers’ Charity, the national charity of the British Army, BLESMA - the Limbless Veterans, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The charities support and rehabilitae serving and veteran service personnel and their families.