A SOLDIER who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan has declared Armed Forces Day a time for celebration.
Nathan Cumberland, 28, from Newark, now gets around on prosthetic limbs after the blast in Helmand Province while on his third tour of duty in 2009.
After the trauma, the Guards lance-sergeant married his fiancee Rachael and the couple now have a son, two-year-old Harry.
Nathan won't be in Nottingham for the national event on June 29 as it coincides with his 300-mile fundraising bike ride to Paris in aid of military charities. But he will be there in spirit.
"It has to be a time of celebration," he said. "It is a big day to raise awareness of what the Armed Forces do."
Nathan was in the Army for ten years. As a soldier in the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, he took part in Trooping the Colour in celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday.
In Afghanistan he was injured after stepping on an explosive device while leading a reconnaissance patrol in Taliban territory.
Amidst enemy fire, he overcame excruciating pain to order his eight-man patrol to take cover and return fire. Once safe Nathan was airlifted to the Camp Bastion base for emergency surgery. He lost his left leg below the knee and right leg above the knee. So far he has had 21 operations on his legs and contracted MRSA seven times.
After treatment in Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, he stayed at Headley Court, a rehabilitation centre for injured Navy, Army and RAF personnel.
He said: "You can't keep feeling down about things – the military has been there for hundreds of years and you can't feel sorry for yourself.
"It's a time to celebrate – this is from an injured guy. I have this horrific injury but I'm not letting it beat me," added Nathan, who since leaving the Army has set up his own company buying and letting property.
"I was proud to serve – I don't regret anything."
A Concert for Courage is being staged at the Royal Concert Hall on Friday July 12 at 7.30pm.
The Opera Dudes – Tim Lole and Neil Allen, from Nottingham – will be performing and there will be performances from Carlton Male Voice Choir and Notts Band of the Royal Engineers.
The event is in aid of ABF The Soldiers' Charity. Tickets, £15, are available from the Concert Hall on 0115 989 5555 or www.trch.co.uk.