St Helens veteran aims to become first ever triple amputee to complete London Marathon
The formerr corporal is taking on 26.2 mile challenge to inspire others and honour fallen friends
Last updated 4 hours ago
An St Helens Army veteran who lost three limbs in Afghanistan is aiming to become the first triple amputee to complete the London Marathon.
Andy Reid, a former corporal, will take on the 26.2 mile route on Sunday and expects it will take him up to 13 hours to finish.
The 49-year-old said he hopes the challenge will show others with disabilities or injuries what can be achieved.
Walking in memory of fallen friends
Mr Reid lost both legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2009 with the 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment.
He will be walking the marathon in honour of seven members of his regiment who died.
Mr Reid said: “I’m still here despite my injury, so I’ve got to make the most of life.”
He said he hopes to inspire others, adding: “New Year’s Day I started the training, I did a four-mile walk on New Year’s Day and then twice a week since then I’ve been out walking.
“I’ve put the hard work in.
“I climbed Kilimanjaro a couple of years ago so I know what kind of mental strength these things take when it gets a bit tough, where you’ve got to dig in, and I know why I’m doing it – to hopefully inspire some other disabled people and because some of my friends didn’t come home from Afghanistan unfortunately, so out of respect for them.
“I’m still here, so I think it’s only right to try and do these things and remember them guys and girls as well who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“I’m still here despite my injury, so I’ve got to make the most of life.”
Training and support
Mr Reid began training on New Year’s Day and has been walking twice a week in preparation.
He said the atmosphere on the day could help him finish quicker than expected compared with training alone.
His wife will be among those cheering him on, alongside supporters from the Army Benevolent Fund, which helped him after his injury.
Plans at the finish line
Near the end of the route, Mr Reid plans to stop at the Iraq and Afghanistan memorial in Victoria Gardens to pay his respects.
Asked how he expects to feel at the finish, he said: “It’ll be one of relief, really, I think, and obviously accomplishment.
“I will sit and reflect afterwards when I get back to the apartment and think wow, that was amazing to be able to achieve that.”
He is raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund and his own charity, the Standing Tall Foundation, which supports veterans and people in his local community with mental health, housing and welfare support.