 A MAN with a permanent brain injury completed an exercise challenge to raise money for British troops in Afghanistan.
Stephen Costello, 51, who was injured in a car accident at the age of four, raised £355 by completing four hours of continuous exercise at the Headway Thames Valley centre in Greys Road, Henley.
Mr Costello, from Maidenhead, receives support from the centre several times a week and completed the equivalent of 61 miles on a MOTOmed machine, a special exercise bike for the limbs.
He was inspired by a TV programme in which actor Ross Kemp visited troops in Afghanistan.
Wendy Carlson, who works for the charity, said: “The Afghanistan idea was Stephen’s initiative and he organised all the sponsorship, which is a particular achievement as loss of confidence is one of the things people with brain injuries can suffer. He got everybody here motivated to join in.
“Normally people do one hour at a time on the bike, a couple of times a week, so to do four hours in a row is some achievement.”
Half the money will go the armed forces and the rest will be spent on Nintendo DS Brain Training games for the centre.
ARMY reservist Major Paul Smyth was seen on TV all over the world as he helped BBC presenter Jon Sopel commentate live from the Remembrance Sunday service at Camp Bastion in Helmand, Afghanistan.
The 37-year-old PR consultant from Henley is a member of the Rifles Regiment and has spent eight years as a reservist. He was one of 2,000 British servicemen and women gathered on the dusty, windblown parade ground at the camp.
He said: “It was a real honour to represent the Helmand task force and an experience I am sure I will never forget.
“This year was probably the most poignant as, sadly, the last three remaining veterans from the Great War passed away. But while that generational link may be broken, it’s parades like this that mean we can make sure they are not forgotten.
“In Helmand the importance of remembrance is something that is never far away, whatever the time of year. Like many others serving here, I have friends who have been killed or injured.”
Maj Smyth is married with two young daughters. His wife, Becky, spent Friday raising money for the Poppy Appeal with the Henley branch of the Royal British Legion. He said: “I’m very lucky that she understands the reserve job I do.”
Published on 16 November 2009
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