Triple-amputee veteran wants to show what's possible for disabled people after finishing marathon
An Army veteran who lost three limbs in Afghanistan hopes completing the London Marathon can show what disabled people are capable of.
Andy Reid – who lost both legs and one of his arms in an IED incident in 2009 – completed the race in just over 12-and-a-half hours.
The father of two was left with life-changing injuries after the incident in Helmand Province.
He was in the Yorkshire Regiment and seven members of his unit died during the same tour, so he wanted to show that his disability was no obstacle on a very special year for him.
Andy said: "It's good to show the disabled people, injured guys, what can be achieved with the right mindset and the right support network around you.
"So, absolutely amazing to be able to do it.
"It was hard work, obviously, and the tiredness has just kicked in in the last half now, to be honest, but a great achievement."
The former soldier was one of nearly 60,000 runners who participated in the race from Blackheath and Greenwich before finishing at The Mall 26.2 miles later, but there was one point that was particularly poignant for him.
Alan said: "We managed to stop at Mile 25 with the Iraq and Afghan Memorial.
"So, we stopped there and had a quick minute's silence and said a few words.
"And it just reflects on why we are doing this."
He was raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund, which helped him during his recovery, as well as the Standing Tall Foundation – a cause Andy set up with his friend, John Tabern – which provides mental health counselling, addiction, housing and welfare support to veterans and communities in his hometown of St Helens.
He added: "I'm 50 this year, and so [this is] one of them bucket list items, I think, that most people want to try and do, having been in the military and being fit and active, is maybe something I would have done if I'd not been injured once I left the military.
"So, I think to be able to do things that you would have done if you'd not been injured and then to be able to do things beyond injury, I think it's just absolutely fantastic."
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