THE father of a soldier who lost a leg but cheated death in an explosion in Afghanistan is raising money for his care.
Private Patrick Limb, of the Parachute Regiment, was hit by the blast of a detonator while on patrol in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province, on January 2, but the 10kg bomb beneath him failed to go off.
If it had, the 24-year-old would almost certainly have died like many British serviceman on operations in Afghanistan, and like his Sergeant Major in recent fighting.
But instead he survived and is in Headley Court Military Hospital, in Surrey, recovering and coming to terms with the loss of his leg.
His father, PC Simon Limb, of the Wealdstone Antisocial Behaviour Partnership (WASP) team, and his colleagues are trying to raise money to adapt the family home, in Oxfordshire, so that he can return to be with his parents once he is discharged.
PC Limb, an ex-Para himself, told the Harrow Times of the impact the injury has had on the family.
He said: “We were told by the army. They came to the house and spoke to my wife. Of course when she saw them she knew exactly what had happened but feared the worst and thought he was dead.
“She's still very much distraught and struggling to come to terms with it. It's the reality of modern day war.
“If you join up now you have to accept that when you go to places like Afghanistan there's a serious chance of you being injured or killed.
“I think my wife sees it differently. She said the other day: 'I didn't have him for this'. She says the day she sees him walking will be the day she comes to terms with it.”
The house is not kitted out for a disabled man and Harrow Police held a cake sale to raise money for a special shower on Tuesday.
They have already raised enough to buy him a laptop which he can use to keep in touch with his colleagues from 3 Para through social networking website Facebook.
But they will need thousands of pounds if they are going to raise enough money to make the house accessible.
Harrow Police are planning a big fundraising event but have not yet decided what it will be or when.
Private Limb will have access to money for adapting a house from one of several charities for wounded soldiers.
But he can only get the payout once and so is saving that donation so he can eventually move out of his parents' home and live independently once his health improves.
Inspector Russell Hughes, of Harrow Police, said: “It's affected the whole family. It's been a real shock to see that happen to their 24-year-old son who lived for the army and lived for the Parachute Regiment.
“He was so proud to get in and he was so proud of going to Afghanistan and the work they are now doing out there but I realise that their son has an injury which will affect him for the rest of his life. It was a shock.”
For information on how to make a donation email Sergeant Darren Judge, of Marlborough Safer Neighbourhoods Team, on darren.judge@met.police.uk.
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