With a record number of 60,000 runners taking part in Sunday’s London Marathon, you may struggle to spot him. But when the TV cameras zoom in on Andy Reid, it will be a moment that’s guaranteed to take your breath away.
Andy is aiming to get his name in the record books by becoming the first triple amputee to complete the 26.2-mile course – even though it may take him 11 hours to finish. The ex-soldier from St Helens lost both legs and an arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2009.
Since that life-changing injury, his goal is to show what disabled and injured veterans can achieve – and raise funds for his own charity, Standing Tall Foundation, which focuses on mental health, addiction and welfare, and the Army Benevolent Fund, of which he is an ambassador.
Andy said: “I’m turning 50 this year, and I wanted a challenge! I want people to see what’s possible. With the right mindset and support network around you, I want to help others to see what they can overcome. Never, ever give up.”
Among the many who will be cheering him on will be his biggest supporters – wife Claire, and two children, William, 13, and Scarlett, 8. Andy served 13 years with the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, deploying in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
It’s not the first jaw-dropping challenge that he has taken on since his injury. He’s climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, abseiled Blackpool Tower, and completed a 600-mile tricycle ride. It’s all a long way since those dark days after his injury.
He added: “For the first year or so it took me about an hour to just wash and get dressed using one arm, but with practice and my new prosthetics that’s down to about 20 minutes. It’s the small things most people take for granted that are so infuriating, like putting toothpaste on my brush, I can’t fasten my shoelaces, not being able to fasten a button on my daughter’s uniform before school in the morning.”
Friend and supporter Ged Mason, of engineering consultancy Morson Group, said: “What I admire about Andy is that he really pushes his limits and nothing holds him back. Just by doing what he’s doing, Andy helps motivate others who might be struggling. I am delighted to be supporting him – and looking forward to training with him, too.”
Carers UK has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a reassessment exercise for Carer’s Allowance overpayments, which will review over 200,000 cases. The exercise is expected to result in adjustments to overpayments for about 25,000 carers, with some carers receiving full or partial refunds.
Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “The reassessment process marks an important step in tackling these systemic failures. Carers UK has been campaigning on the issue of Carer’s Allowance overpayments for more than seven years, and during that time we have heard from hundreds of carers who have experienced severe financial strain and emotional distress as a result. A wider review of Carer’s Allowance is sorely needed to ensure that it properly supports and recognises the contribution of unpaid carers, while protecting them from financial hardship.”
The charity is providing advice and support to carers and organisations throughout the process and have created a dedicated support hub on its website. For advice and support, call 0808 808 7777 or visit www.carersuk.org or email: advice@carersuk.org.
