Ten months on from a motorbike accident that nearly killed him, a former member of the Light Dragoons is using the motto ‘Cavalry Never Fail’ to spur him on in his effort to raise money for the Charity that supported his recovery.

Dan Thomson, 43 years old and from Durham, who owns the Legion Strength and Fitness Gym had a life changing accident in August last year, which left him with a broken neck, a traumatic brain injury, a collapsed lung and nerve damage which means his right arm is paralysed and his left arm is weak. His doctors at James Cooke Hospital said he was very lucky to survive, but that has not affected his determination to give something back to Help for Heroes, who stepped in to support him when he was in hospital.

Dan, who served with the Light Dragoon regiment around the world, including in Afghanistan, has set himself the challenge to lift the weight of a Scimitar Tank twice, to raise funds for the Charity. He’ll be using a strap to help him lift weights equivalent to 23,956kg and is recruiting members of the gym he owns and the local community to take part.

Dan said: “When I was in James Cooke Hospital, I was visited by the Help for Heroes Veteran Liaison Nurse who is based there. Once she knew I was a veteran, she started getting involved in organising support for me to help my recovery. I already had PTSD from my time in service, due to the death of my close friend whilst in Afghanistan.

Dan will be supported by his partner Becca Thomson

placeholder image — Dan will be supported by his partner Becca Thomson

“The severity of my injuries from my accident made the PTSD worse for me unfortunately. And my brain injury means that I have difficulty with my memory, communication and I can feel overwhelmed. Through Help for Heroes, I’ve accessed mental health support services, a case worker and grants for equipment to help me back at home.

“I can honestly say I don’t know what I would have done without them. Before I had my accident, I didn’t realise that the Charity is there to support all veterans, I thought it was just for people who had been injured in service.”

Dan is being supported in his challenge by his partner, Becca Thomson, who was crowned the World’s Strongest Disabled Woman in 2021 and 2022. A number of people who use the gym are veterans and he’s hoping to get as many members of the local community as possible to sign up for the challenge. Dan added: “The idea is that people come along and lift whatever weights they can, to help us to get to the total of 23,956kg. It’s so important to keep charities like Help for Heroes in peoples’ minds. We might not be in active conflict now, but they’re doing an amazing job supporting veterans like me at difficult times in their lives.”

Dan’s Scimitar tank challenge will take place on Saturday 19 July, 10am-4pm at Legion Strength and Fitness Gym, Belmont Industrial Estate. For more details go to https://www.instagram.com/thelegionstrengthandfitness

Dan Thomson served with the Light Dragoons Regiment

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps people live well after service. The Charity supports veterans and their families with their physical and mental health, as well as welfare and social needs. It has already supported tens of thousands - and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.

The Charity supports veterans from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces.