Last updated at 12:22, Friday, 12 October 2012

A Workington man seriously injured in Afghanistan has set up a charity for soldiers injured in battle.

HELPING OTHERS: Joanne Corless and former soldier Daniel Chubb, of Mossbay Road, Workington, have launched a charity called Our Fallen But Never Forgotten Heroes and are planning a charity night in December

Daniel Chubb, 33, of Mossbay Road, has founded Our Fallen But Never Forgotten Heroes with his friend Joanne Corless, 31, also of Mossbay Road.

Mr Chubb was a private in the Third Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland when he was injured in a bomb explosion in Afghanistan five years ago.

He lost his right leg and was in a coma for three months after the blast.

He went deaf in both ears and now has epilepsy.

When he awoke from the coma, he was confined to a wheelchair and was told he would never walk again, but two years ago he was fitted with a titanium leg.

He said: “When I first came out of the army, the help I got was diabolical.

“Fortunately I had support from my family, but there might be other people with injuries who might not have the help of their families.

“I came out of my coma and the army gave me a one-off payment and war pension. My uncle had to make his house disabled friendly.

“He shouldn’t have had to do that. The army should have helped more but they didn’t.

“How I am still here I don’t know. I want to give soldiers the support I didn’t have available myself.

“I don’t want to remember the fallen heroes just one day a year.”

Miss Corless’s uncle and grandfather were in the army and she decided she wanted to do something to help soldiers.

Our Fallen But Never Forgotten Heroes will provide funding for disabled soldiers who need specialist equipment to help them move around or adapt their homes.

It will also help with the day-to-day bills for families who have lost someone in the army and give them food hampers at Christmas.

The pair are running the charity from their homes on Mossbay Road until they can find a permanent premises.

The first charity night will be held on December 14 at Moss Bay Working Men’s Club, from 7.30pm.

There will be a raffle with items donated by local businesses, live entertainment and a buffet.

Tickets cost £5. For more information, call 07449 336139.

First published at 11:49, Friday, 12 October 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk