Herefordshire soldier who lost leg in Afghanistan made into art (From Ledbury Reporter)

Herefordshire soldier who lost leg in Afghanistan made into art

9:30am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News By Lauren Rogers

A FORMER soldier who lost his leg in Afghanistan has been immortalised in art.

Matthew Wilson, of Much Birch, was on foot patrol in Afghanistan when he trod on an explosive device just 400 metres from his camp.

If it hadn’t been for the swift action of his colleagues, Matthew would not have survived.

He lost his left leg and little finger in the blast, and his left arm had to be re-built.

Now, the 26-year-old has become part of a ‘battalion’ of statues that are raising money for Help for Heroes.

The statues, commissioned by Bells Whisky in a bid to raise £1 million for the charity, were created by Stuart Murdoch.

Matthew, who has supported Help for Heroes since he was injured in 2009, was in London last week for the official unveiling.

The individual statues are going to as-yet-undisclosed locations across the UK, from armed forces bases to the veterans’ home towns.

Away from raising money for the injured soldiers charity, the former serviceman - whose father was killed by the IRA while serving with the army in Northern Ireland in 1989 - is hoping to get a job with the Prince’s Trust to help disadvantaged young people.

“I want to get back to work,”he said.

“I think I’ve got enough life experience to help others.”

To support the Bells campaign and donate £5 to Help for Heroes, text BELLS to 70900.