Celebrity MP donates to assist Sherborne soldier’s recovery

A SOLDIER from Sherborne who lost his legs in an explosion has received a donation from former MP Edwina Currie.

The TV personality, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year, donated to the fund for Jason Gould, 20, a soldier in the Grenadier Guards, who was left fighting for his life in July

Mr Gould was leading soldiers towards a compound and the Taliban front line when he suffered 25 injuries – including the loss of both his legs – as he stepped on an improvised explosive device in Rahim, Afghanistan.

He was rushed to Camp Bastion before being flown to an intensive care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, where he underwent ten operations in less than a month and was unable to drink or eat properly for two months.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

His friends and family have since raised thousands of pounds to help with his care.

Edwina donated on the Just Giving page last week and left a message to Mr Gould that said: “Never give up.”

And on Friday Jason celebrated his 21st birthday at home in Sherborne during a three-week break in his rehabilitation programme at Headley Court, Surrey.

His mum Sue said: “He had a lovely time – he had lots of presents and had a really wonderful day. It was the first birthday he’s spent at home since he was 16 so it was so nice to have him home.

“It wasn’t quite how we’d imagined his 21st birthday to be but it was still lovely, especially when you think about how it could have been so much worse. He’s doing really well he’s really quite independent around the house.

“It’s brilliant that he’s got people like Edwina Currie donating. It will all go towards his care and anything he might need in the future so he doesn’t have to worry about it and can live a long life. His friends have been absolutely fantastic, I think everyone just wants to show how much they love and care about him.”

Mr Gould was also visited last week by Major Chris Sargent, his company commander at 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and a former Sherborne School pupil. He presented Mr Gould with his Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan.

Mr Gould is returning to Headley Court on Sunday to continue with his rehabilitation service.

He is then set to return on December 21 to spend Christmas with his family.