The people of Newark are urged to cheer on Grenadier Guardsman Lance-sergeant Nathan Cumberland as he attempts to complete the town’s half-marathon next month.
Lance-sergeant Nathan Cumberland on the track at the Grove Leisure Centre, Balderton, where he has been training for Newark Half-marathon.
Lance-sergeant Cumberland, 26, of Long Bennington, is training to tackle the course on Sunday, August 8, despite losing both legs in an explosion in Afghanistan less than nine months ago.
He will compete for as long as possible on prosthetic legs and switch to a hand bike if necessary.
His courage has been praised by the race secretary, Kate Else, of the organisers, Newark Athletic Club.
She said: “We hope the crowds will spur Nathan on. We are delighted he is taking part. It is another example, if one were needed, of how courageous he is.
“He has an army of fans in Newark. We are very proud of him and very proud of the achievements of all coalition forces in Afghanistan.”
Lance-sergeant Cumberland was just six weeks into his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, when he was caught in the blast radius of an improvised bomb, he believes was purposely triggered during a patrol in Helmand Province.
Despite his injuries, he continued to lead and direct his men.
Doctors said his month-long hospital stay was one of the shortest for anyone with injuries so severe.
“The half-marathon is my way of saying: ‘Thank you’ to everyone who has been so supportive,” Lance-sergeant Cumberland said.
“Although I am setting myself goals — the main one still being to walk down the aisle on my wedding day in October — this one is less about the challenge and more about fundraising.
“It will be incredibly difficult. I use 300% more energy just in standing than people do in walking.
“I have no idea about distance, but I have managed about an hour on my new legs so far.”
Lance-sergeant Cumberland this week trained with Newark AC members, at the Grove Leisure Centre, Balderton,
He will take part in the half-marathon to raise money for the Newark Patriotic Fund, which helps the families of wounded Servicemen and women, and Blesma — the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association.
The MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, a former Army officer, who helped to set up the patriotic fund, will signal the start of the race for Lance-sergeant Cumberland, at 9.30am, an hour before the main event begins.
He will be joined by up to 20 friends for the 13.1 miles, including soldiers from 3 Para who will carry 50lb backpacks.
His training has been hampered because he damaged the foot of one of his new legs in Thailand, while on a dive trip paid for by a fellow Grenadier Guardsman.
Company Sergeant Major “Ski” Miles ran 50 laps of his camp in Afghanistan with the money raised paying for Lance-sergeant Cumberland’s trip.
This week Lance-sergeant Cumberland revealed he was looking forward to becoming a father as his fiancée, Rachael Cryer, is due to give birth in February.
