ANDY Reid conquered an 18-mile hand cycle event on Sunday to raise awareness for a little boy with leukaemia.

 

The war veteran, who lost both legs and his right arm after stepping on an IED in 2009 while serving in Afghanistan, took part in The Home from Home walk for Ben’s Wish, a charity set up to raise money for 11-year-old Ben Robinson from Leigh.

 

The walk went from the home of Ben’s favourite rugby team, Leigh Centurions, to the Etihad Stadium where his favourite football team Manchester City play. All the funds will help him go on his dream trip to Jamaica.

 

Dad-of-one, Andy said: “We set off at 10.30am and got there around 5.30pm but I got to meet Ben, who is such a great kid and very inspiring after everything he has been through.

 

“He joined us for the last mile which was brilliant. I’m happy to help raise awareness.”

 

The 40-year-old also did the event in preparation for his Warrior Challenge, which will include him visiting the graves of his six friends who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2012.

 

The 425-mile challenge will see Andy, from Rainford, take part in running, cycling and kayaking events across the country to visit each of their graves over 14 days in June.

 

This will include visiting Warrington, Longwood, New Mill, Cowersley, Lytham St Annes and Bradford before finishing in Westminster.

 

All the money raised will go to ABF The Soldiers Charity and to Style for Soldiers, a charity run by seamstress Emma Willis in London, which adapts uniforms and suits for injured servicemen and women.

 

The event will take place from Friday, June 16 to Thursday, June 29.