Andy Reid: 'I'll go down on one knee and pop the question to Claire' (From St Helens Star)

Andy Reid: 'I'll go down on one knee and pop the question to Claire'

9:50am Thursday 4th March 2010

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LIONHEARTED soldier Andy Reid has vowed to propose to his devoted girlfriend as soon as he is physically strong enough to go down on one knee.

Four months after losing both legs and his right arm when a Taliban bomb exploded while he was on patrol with the 3rd Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Andy says he will not let the injuries get in the way of him living a normal, enjoyable life.

The inspirational trooper, from Thatto Heath, is slowly learning to walk again after rehabilitation and being fitted with prosthetic limbs.

And once the defiant 33-year-old has increased his mobility, he will pop the question to his partner, Claire Smith, 28.

He said: “We want to get engaged this year and as soon as I can get down on my knee I will ask Claire to marry me. That is one of my big goals for the summer. It will be great to be able to do that. I am so proud of her for the way she has supported me.”

Speaking to the Star from his home in Thatto Heath, Cpl Reid said he has taken strength from the encouragement and support from his loved ones and the many well wishers from across St Helens.

The ex-Broadway High pupil’s own steely resilience is apparent as he discusses his desire to return to work as an army vehicle training instructor.

Andy said: “I don’t think I’m doing anything special. I’m just getting on with it, that is what soldiers do.

“We get put in crappy situations and just get on with it until the end of the week, you go to Afghan and do your six month tour.

“That’s what I’m doing now, getting on with it. I want to get back to work by April or May.

“I want to enjoy life as normal as possible, carrying on doing normal things. The army has given me a career path that I can follow.

“I drove the Warrior tanks and have instructed on them and the Bulldog armoured ambulance. So it is my aim to become a senior training instructor.”

Andy can walk about 20 to 40 metres unaided and rigorous exercise programmes should see his stamina increase.

The corporal, who has been in the Army for 13 years, serving in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq twice and Afghanistan, is training hard in the DW Fitness centre, St Helens.

Having been right-handed, Andy is also slowly learning to use his left hand for tasks like writing, cooking and cleaning.

He is even driving again, something which has “given him a great sense of freedom”.

Andy draws strength from comrades with similar injuries who he has seen progress, but admits he previously had little insight into the recovery of amputees.

He added: “I didn’t know anything about it before I went to Afghanistan. You hear people get injured but you just think they get better.

“I guess you don’t think about how seriously injured people can get because if you did you probably would not go.

“You think you might get blown up and die. You know that. But what you don’t think about is surviving and losing your limbs.

“I have a mate who was shot recently. I thought that he is dead. But no, what has happened is that the bullet has gone through his nose and gone out through his throat.

“He’s just been left with a big fat nose.

“At the hospital I think there are three triple amputees and about 30 odd other blokes, some have got their legs missing, others might have arms missing.

“Derek Derenalagi, the big fella, (a double amputee who was on the news a few weeks ago after taking a tumble on Downing Street and being helped by Prime Minister Gordon Brown) was there. He was running last week with his titanium legs on.

“That is rehabilitation and he has been there since 2007 and I think to myself ‘if he can do that then I can’.”

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A CHARITY mission inspired by Andy Reid’s bravery will take place this summer to raise funds for Help for Heroes, which supports injured service personnel.

The indomitable soldier’s partner Claire Smith will lead a 30-strong squad of fundraisers on a 90-mile cycle from St Helens to Selly Oak as part of a challenge on July 3 that they have named Helly to Selly.

Claire, who works in the accounts department of a Warrington company, will be joined by friends and family.

She said: “We’ve all done the 90 mile drive from St Helens to Selly Oak several times.

“But we thought we would do it one more time, but this time on bicycles. We’re not exactly a fit bunch but we’ve been inspired by Andy, the dedication of medical staff there, and the bravery of many other soldiers.

“I’m so proud of Andy, ever week he achieves something and becomes more and more independent everyday.”

Among the novice cyclists will be Andy’s sisters Racheal (35), Emma (31), Sarah (21) niece Kayleigh (17) and cousin Karl Duvall.

To donate towards the Helly to Selly event go to www.justgiving.net/HellytoSelly2010 THIS Saturday (March 6) from 8pm The Flagship, on Volunteer Street, St Helens will be hosting an X-Factor style talent show to raise funds for Helly to Selly.

Contestants are invited to go along and have a go.

IN A separate challenge at the end of August, Andy will ride a specially adapted trike with a group of motorcyclists heading from Lands End to John O’Groats on scooters.

Ex-soldier Cliff Williams, 46, from Sutton, set about arranging the trip, dubbed The Numbumrun, after reading the story of Andy’s terrible injuries in the Star last year.

MORE coverage on this event in coming weeks.

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