Soldier helps launch appeal

A soldier seriously injured fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan sold the first poppy of this year’s appeal in Balderton.

Lance-corporal Nick Davis (23) of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, got the appeal under way, selling a poppy to the chairman of Balderton Town Council, Mr Fred Mortimore.

Lance-corporal Davis had his right leg amputated at the knee after injuries sustained while attempting to clear a Taliban stronghold near Garmsir, in Helmand Province, on May 26.

He is staying with his family on Stafford Avenue, Balderton, while on a month’s leave from Headley Court, Surrey, a rehabilitation centre for injured military personnel.

Lance-corporal Davis, who can walk on an artificial leg with the aid of a crutch, said he was on the long road to recovery, spending up to five hours a day in physiotherapy, and he was happy to support the Poppy Appeal.

He joined Balderton Royal British Legion members outside the Co-op, at the Lakeside Shopping Centre, London Road, on Sunday, to launch the appeal.

From tomorrow, volunteers will be in the shop daily for the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday, November 11. Donation boxes will also be in all shops at the centre.

In addition, it is hoped collectors will be in the new Sainsbury’s, on London Road, when it opens on November 9.

Mr Danny Bambury (62) of Hawton Lane, has organised the Balderton appeal for 30 years.

He said they were hoping to exceed last year’s £4,000 total and were looking for more volunteers to help, particularly with door-to-door collections.

The youngest volunteer is Mr Edward O’Doherty (21) of Macaulay Drive, who has been collecting since he was six.

His mother, parish councillor Mrs Lydia Hurst, of London Road, is a member of the Royal British Legion.

The Balderton branch chairman, Mr Alan Ellerby, said involving Lance-corporal Davis was a way of raising the profile of the appeal.

“What people don’t realise is that the Royal British Legion is not just for old people, it’s for young people as well,” Mr Ellerby said.

“We have tried to help Nick since he has been home. That is what it is all about, to help people of all ages.”

Mr Ellerby said in order to help those involved in conflicts they needed money, and the only way they could do that was through the Poppy Appeal.

He visited Lance-corporal Davis at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, within weeks of his return to Britain.