Army veteran Tom Folwell from Lincolnshire, who was blown up in Afghanistan, has met Help for Heroes’ latest signing — England manager Gareth Southgate, who has been announced as the charity’s new patron.
Ahead of flying out to Qatar with his World Cup squad, Southgate met with veterans who’ve been supported by Help for Heroes and pledged his support to the military charity.
Tom, 37, who lives in Horncastle, shared his story and about how Help for Heroes is helping him live well after service. The former sapper was on a routine foot patrol in Helmand Province when he lost both his legs and four fingers on his left hand after an IED (improvised explosive device) blast.
At the Invictus Games in The Hague this year, Tom captained Team UK’s Wheelchair Rugby and Basketball squads as well as competing in Sitting Volleyball.
Tom, originally from Melton Mowbray, added: “I think Gareth will really understand how soldiers feel when they suffer life changing injuries with all his football experience. Military careers can end overnight just like those of footballers.”
Help for Heroes’ latest signing — England manager Gareth Southgate, who has been announced as the charity’s new patron. | Photo: Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Help for Heroes
Speaking on his new role, Gareth said: “My sense of identity and values is closely tied to my family and particularly my grandad. He was a fierce patriot and a proud military man, who served during World War II. Because of him, I’ve always had an affinity for the military and service in the name of your country.
“Both footballers and service personnel can find their careers cut short due to injury, a prospect which can affect them not only physically but and mentally too. The inability to function or perform in the same way after injury can often cause significant mental challenges, loss of identity and impact their prospects.”
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Campaigners in the Lincolnshire Wolds have launched a bid to raise £20,000 to fund a legal challenge against a planning inspector’s decision to allow oil drilling in the Lincolnshire Wolds.
The inspector authorised Egdon Resources to proceed with oil drilling in Biscathorpe, despite acknowledging the project’s potential harm to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Now, local group SOS Biscathorpe, which has been fighting the plans, is urgently seeking to raise £20,000 to fund their appeal against this ruling. So far, they have raised more than £3,600.
Residents, visitors, and traders have expressed their disappointment following the cancellation of the beloved Lincoln Christmas Market, on what would have been the inaugural day of this year’s four-day event.
Although the poor weather might have deterred some people, the city’s Bailgate area was notably quiet around 12pm on Thursday, typically the time the event usually opens its doors.
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