Falklands veteran Simon Weston has been named patron of a charity which helps amputees and their families.
The Nelson-born hero takes up his new position with Limbcare.
Mr Weston was aboard the Sir Galahad during the Falklands War in 1982 when it was destroyed and suffered 46% burns to his body and face.
Limbcare, founded by quad amputee Ray Edwards MBE, offers support to amputees and their families.
Mr Weston said: “I’m thrilled to join Limbcare as a patron and am looking forward to helping and supporting the excellent work they do in helping others who have suffered.”
My very best wishes to Simon Weston. I attended a talk he gave in Caerffili Castle and was very impressed with his natural flair for engaging his audience and his fortitude in dealing with his horrendous wartime injuries. He was once a, self confessed, bad boy but the Welsh Guards made him the man he is.
Unable to continue his army service his admirable strength of character enabled him to become an accomplished speaker and charity fund raiser. I am sure that his personal experience of a life changing injury and the manner with which he dealt with it will be of great benefit to those unfortunates who suffer amputation.
Nobody would wish for the loss of a limb or terrible burns but Simon Weston, having undergone the agony of serious injury, the painful recovery and the realisation that his old life was over, forcing him to make a new one from scratch, will be an inspiration to amputees in a way that a more fortunate person could never be.