A DISABLED ex-soldier is today starting a 125-mile wheelchair journey across the North-East to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal in the region.

Wheelchair-bound Paul McClintock, 36, will visit ten towns, from Berwick to Croft, near Darlington.

Mr McClintock, from Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, who served in Bosnia, suffers from a degenerative condition sparked by an injury he sustained while training with the Royal Green Jackets.

All money raised from his Tweed2Tees Poppy Challenge will go towards the legion’s work in the North-East, without which, Mr Mc- Clintock said, he would have ended up living on the streets.

He said: “The reason I’m doing this is to give something back to the legion.

They have helped me from day one when I came out of the Army. I didn’t know they could help as much as they have done.

“They bought my wheelchair and helped with adaptations, so I could live in my home. They even liaised with my landlord to keep a roof over my head that I could afford.”

Mr McClintock will be supported on his trip by the legion’s David Bell, who was responsible for recruits’ fitness training during his 36 years in the Army Physical Corps.

The pair will launch the Poppy Appeal in each town with a ceremony where the local mayor will buy the first poppy, before passing it on to a local personality or someone who has overcome adversity.

Mr Bell said: “What people don’t know about the legion is that it looks after people and their families the moment they leave the Armed Forces until their grave. The range of support we give is unbelievable and includes everything from a handyman service to legal advice and support.

“That’s why fundraising is so important.

We need to do it all year round to be able to help people.”

To make a donation, call 0845-845-1945 or visit virginmoneygiving.com/paulmcclintock-tweed2tees