Andy Reid to launch Standing Tall autobiography with black tie dinner (From St Helens Star)

Andy Reid to launch Standing Tall autobiography with black tie dinner

7:00am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

ANDY Reid will recount harrowing details of how he suffered life changing injuries and the influences behind his steely character in an autobiography to be released early next year.

Standing Tall will chronicle the soldier’s life before and after the improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan that left him a triple amputee.

The former soldier, 36, has been working on his story for the past two years and admits reliving traumatic experiences from his time in Afghanistan have been painful.

However, he believes people can learn lessons from his story, and plans to launch the book at a black tie dinner, to be held in St Helens, on February 2.

Andy, recent Pride of St Helens award winner, told the Star: “It has been difficult at times and a lot of painful memories from my time in Afghanistan have been looked over.

“Getting the words on paper has been tough. I’ve been helped by a war diary that I kept while serving out there.

“For the times I was really out of it following my injuries I’ve relied on my wife Claire and Karl Duvall, my cousin, both of whom have chapters in the book.

“I think people will be interested in reading about my childhood and how some of those experiences helped me deal with the challenges I’ve faced later in life.

“I’m hopeful that people will be able to read it from whatever walk of life – whether they’ve experienced, illness, injury or not – and move themselves forward a little, so they can start thinking about what they have got rather than what they haven’t.”

Andy, who is due to become a father next month, is excited by plans for the glitzy launch in the new year, where he will read chapters from his life story.

He added: “Guests will get a signed copy of the book and there will be live entertainment by the band Sound of Guns, a Liverpool rock band who I’m a big fan of. The Hairy Bikers should also be attending with other celebrities.”

Tickets for the book launch will be priced £60 per person and £500 for a table of ten. The venue, which will be in St Helens, is still to be confirmed.

For enquiries make a request via Andy’s website (andyreid.org.uk) or contact the St Helens rugby league club ticket office.