Military Speakers, Andy Reid and Simon Weston swap tales of valour

TWO ex-soldiers separated by conflicts 30 years apart swapped their inspirational stories at a recent charity event.

TWO ex-soldiers separated by conflicts 30 years apart swapped their inspirational stories at a recent charity event.

Military Speaker Andy Reid and Simon Weston both bear the marks of war.

Andy, a former corporal with the 3rd battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, lost three limbs in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2009.

Simon, who was with the Welsh Guards, was on board the ship Sir Galahad, when it was attacked during the Falklands conflict in 1982.

He suffered 46 per cent burns and has since become an inspirational figure for many for those overcoming adversity to reach their goals.

Andy, from Windle, said: "Someone gave me a copy of Simon's book when I was first injured and that helped me move forward. I gave him a signed copy of my book and hope we can work together in the future."

Andy, 36, met Simon at the Rotary International Convention in Harrogate, where he was representing the soldiers' charity Army Benevolent Fund (ABF).

He explained: "There may be 30 years difference between the conflicts we were involved in, but we were both helped by the charity."