Matt Woollard

Amputee and Member

After joining the Army with the 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment, in November 2005 it was with a great sense of adventure that Matt found himself serving his country in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick in 2007.

Whilst out on patrol with his unit on the morning of 3 May, a year after joining up, Matt stepped on an anti personnel mine. He suffered several injuries, one of which resulted in him losing his right leg below knee.

Whilst recovering in Selly Oak Hospital Matt was visited by BLESMA representatives who offered him advice on various matters and invited him to consider joining the Association.

Moving on to Headley Court, the military rehabilitation centre in Surrey, he met up with other recent victims of current conflicts, many of them BLESMA Members themselves. Matt formed immediate friendship and bonds with them all.

Since then Matt has been closely involved with BLESMA and has attended the Associations annual ski bob event in Austria. Matt says ‘the ethos of turning disability to ability has helped me immeasurably in my recovery. I hope to involve myself further with the activities offered by BLESMA in the near future.’ Matt continues, ‘I have since rejoined my unit and have never regretted joining the Army despite my injuries.’

Matt is 19. BLESMA will be there to help him for many years to come.