Inspirational soldier from Felpham was torchbearer

Felpham man Mike Goody was nominated by support staff at the armed forces charity Help for Heroes for his ‘incredible work’ helping rehabilitate other injured soldiers.

The 27-year-old, who is currently an acting lance corporal with the RAF, carried the torch as part of a five-man team through Newham, in London.

He has also been invited to take part in the games’ closing ceremony.

Mike’s left leg was partially amputated following a roadside bomb explosion while he was on a routine patrol through Kandahar province, in Afghanistan, in 2008.

“We were out on patrol in Kandahar. It was just a normal day,” explained Mike.

“I was driving and we hit a roadside bomb. At first I didn’t know what had happened – there was a loud bang that flipped over the vehicle.

“My left leg was crushed and trapped for three hours, while medics helped extract me from the vehicle.”

Mike was taken to Kandahar airfield before being flown back to the UK.

It was when he arrived home he began what he describes as his ‘long and dark road’ to recovery.

However, Mike soon became involved with a scheme called Battle Back, a Ministry of Defence initiative supported by Help for Heroes, during his rehabilitation at Headley Court.

Through Battle Back, Mike has been able to overcome his injury and has become a professional water ski and archery instructor. He now enjoys an incredibly active life and has put this energy to good use undertaking a number challenges, including swimming the Channel and two ironmen triathlons – raising more than £10,000 for Help for Heroes in the process.