‘Our boys lost limbs but for many ex-soldiers their mental injuries are far worse’

ROSS Kemp is a passionate supporter of our armed forces. 

Here, in his own words, he tells the heartbreaking stories of heroes being laid low by the devastating physical and psychological effects of doing their duty and explains how we can all do our bit to support them this Christmas. 

For as long as he can remember, Dan Richards wanted to be in the army.

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But after leaving the forces as an amputee, he told me he was so lost he considered taking his own life.

Despite returning from a tour to Afghanistan unharmed, a motorbike accident in 2009 meant he had to have his right arm and shoulder amputated.

Painstaking recovery meant he was initially able to rejoin his regiment. He said: “I had wanted to be in the Army since I was eight years old – I wasn’t going to let a little scratch ruin that for me.”

But when he was discharged in 2012, life took a turn for the worse.

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He said: “I didn’t know what I wanted to do and didn’t know what I could do. I sent in 327 job applications and got nothing back.

“At the same time I was living on my savings and in August 2013 I had to pay my car tax and re-insure my car.

“I remember my card was declined and when I checked, I found I had 15p to my name. I didn’t know it but I was also depressed and reclusive as well.

“I was living with my mum and stepdad at the time and I remember one morning looking at myself in the mirror – I was withdrawn and pale and I thought, ‘What have I really got to look forward to?’

Dan was 27 at the time, living at home in South London, while all his friends were starting to settle down.

"I had no money and no job. I had completely lost my entire identity. I felt I’d been through enough, I’d taken it all on the chin with a big smile. I tried to take my own life.”

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Dan says the only thing that prevented his attempt proving fatal was the thought of my mum finding me. It made him ask for help.

He eventually found a job with a chauffeur company, ferrying celebrities around London – while all the time living in friends’ spare rooms and, at one point, in a rundown caravan.

But he says the real turning point for him came in 2016 when he took part in a bike ride in northern France.

He said: “Over the past six years I have been rebuilding my life from scratch. Then, when I did the ride, I suffered, but I got to the end of that ride and the sense of achievement I got I decided that cycling was going to be my thing.

Dan’s determination saw him take part in this year’s Invictus Games in Sydney as a cyclist, despite having never had a coach and being self-taught.

He has now found work as a part-time model and the future is looking bright, with aspirations of becoming a television presenter.

'Get behind our heroes'

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People like Dan put their lives on the line for us when they serve our country and while we can never walk in their footsteps - we can walk a few miles – or even metres – to help our heroes.

It’s such a small thing to do in comparison to our troops’ heroism but it really will help save lives.

For the first time, two of our leading military charities – Help for Heroes and Walking With The Wounded – have joined forces for this year’s Walking Home for Christmas appeal.

That’s why I’m calling on all you to sign up today and raise some much needed cash for our vulnerable veterans who often battle mental health issues, social isolation and unemployment on leaving the Armed Forces.

Every day seven people are medically discharged from the Armed Forces.

I spent months at a time filming out in Afghanistan and made friends for life. But many veterans have suffered greatly trying to adapt to civilian life.

'A third of front line troops get mental health problems'

Think about it, you go from doing an important job, being part of a team and spending every day with your muckers and all of a sudden that can be taken away from you.

These are hard-working, disciplined and skilled men and women but the unemployment rate among veterans is so much higher than civilians because they lose their self-esteem.

It’s can be the start of a downward spiral and these people need help. And yet, I feel there is very little support offered by the military once you leave.

So it’s down to charities like Walking With The Wounded and Help for Heroes to help out.

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At the height of the war in Afghanistan, Help for Heroes were getting millions of pounds a year but since the troops were pulled out in 2013, that’s completely dropped off.

We need to reignite that support because, let me tell you, the need certainly hasn’t gone away.

As well as losing limbs, nearly one in three of our war heroes who fought on the front line in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from a mental health disorder, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

My documentary Invisible Wounded tried to highlight this ticking time bomb back in 2012.

Sadly there is still a stigma attached to talking about mental health, particularly in the Armed Forces because it is often wrongly viewed as a weakness.

While filming on the front line in Afghanistan, I’ve been shot at and seen some horrendous things.

But I’m not them, I’m no soldier. There’s a big difference. I couldn’t have done all the things they did and that’s why I’m a civilian.

And Walking Home for Christmas is the perfect opportunity for us civvies to say thank you.

Gran Audrey McCune, whose grandson is serving in the Army, holds the record for the longest walk after trekking 400 miles across Britain in 2015.

And while some might fancy their chances at trying to beat her record, you don’t have to clock up as many miles as Audrey.

'Even walking home from the pub could make a difference'

You could walk around your local park with friends pushing the kids in the pram, carry your Christmas tree home or even just walk home from the pub.

Whatever it may be, you need to get sponsored because every penny raised will help our heroes.

Just a few hundred pounds can pay for mentoring to help veterans to launch their own company and transform their lives - like former Royal Marine Major Steve McCulley who was left seriously injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.

His military career was over but with Help for Heroes’ support he’s turned his passion for cycling into a successful business building custom bikes.

Our troops have done their duty, now it’s your turn. So please send off for your Santa hat, get sponsored and put your best foot forward for our veterans.

Ross is a patron of Help for Heroes. Register for your free Walking Home for Christmas fundraising pack .