Military veterans James Rose and Dan Smith are supporting the work Launchpad does for veterans by becoming ambassadors for the charity.
This is the first time Launchpad has appointed ambassadors to represent the charity and raise awareness of the services available to homeless and unemployed veterans.
James, 32, from Middlesbrough joined the British Army in January 2008 was in 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, formerly the Green Howards. He had a passion for football and fitness when growing up but opted for a career in the military.
During his time at Weeton Barracks, James found out that he would be deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and it was during a mission in November that year when his life took a turn for the worse. James was on patrol when he stood on an IED. He heard the pressure plate click and knew for that split second, his life would change forever. As a result of the blast, he lost both of his legs, and suffered a broken pelvis and tail bone. He spent four years recovering in Headley Court and it was his family that helped him stay focussed and get through those dark, difficult times.
Not letting his injuries deter him, he decided to get back into fitness and started rowing. This gave him a new lease of life and in January 2014, he trained with Team GB Development Team. He also learned how to ride a hand cycle and cycled 65 miles in 2017.
In 2018, he was selected to represent Team GB at the Invictus Games in Sydney competing in the wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball, gaining silver and bronze medals respectively.
During his time at the Invictus Games, he became friends with Darren Young and together they decided to raise money for veterans with depression and PTSD. Their chosen challenge was to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, which they completed during August and September 2019.
James said:
“Becoming an ambassador for Launchpad is a great honour as I know how difficult it is when you are discharged from the military.
“When I was medically discharged in 2014, I found it hard to adjust. But eventually I found my mojo and got involved in sports which led to me to compete for my country in rowing after being selected for the 2018 Invictus Games. This then led me to climb Kilimanjaro in 2019, making me the first double above knee amputee veteran to climb Kilimanjaro! It really is mind over matter.”
Royal Artillery veteran, Dan Smith has also agreed to become an ambassador of Launchpad. Dan, 40, from Northumberland served 14 years as an adventure PTI and GMLRS Commander in the British Army, completing military tours of Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.
Seven years after leaving the military and to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, he kayaked solo the length of Britain in a bid to raise £25,000 for The Royal British Legion.
The 998-mile ‘Paddle of Britain’ challenge saw him set off from the top of Scotland in 2018 and paddle via inland waterways to the south coast of England. It took him 53 days to complete the challenge raising a staggering £27,000.
Dan said:
“I am honoured to become a Launchpad ambassador. To represent, raise awareness and funds for a fantastic charity that helps ex-service personnel get back on track in more ways than one. A struggling veteran should never be left behind.”
David Shaw, CEO and Founder of Launchpad, commented:
“I am delighted to welcome James and Dan as ambassadors of Launchpad. This is the first time the charity has worked with ambassadors to represent the charity to raise awareness of the support we provide to veterans. Our long-term vision is to raise and attract more funding to become self-sustaining and having James and Dan on board will help us to achieve this.
“Residents living in our two houses in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Liverpool look up to other veterans who have similar life experiences and are inspired and motivated to get their lives back on track. Listening to James and Dan’s stories and seeing how they have gone on to raise awareness and funding for some magnificent causes is inspiring.”
