Peter Barron visits the Phoenix House recovery centre at Catterick Garrison for the launch of the "Keep It Up For England" challenge, in aid of Help For Heroes

WATCHING Dean Middleton larking around in the May sunshine with his mates, laughing at their vain attempts to juggle a football, it's hard to imagine the horrors he's been through.

On December 21, 2010, "Deano" was serving as a machine gunner with 2 Para in Afghanistan when the armoured vehicle he was on top of was blown up by a roadside bomb. He doesn't remember anything about what happened next but he was thrown from the vehicle and suffered a broken skull, causing severe post-traumatic amnesia.

The Northern Echo:
IN ACTION: Dean Middleton serving with 2 Para

He had been due to get married a month later but the wedding had to be cancelled and the relationship didn't survive the challenges that lay ahead as Deano battled to overcome his physical and psychological wounds.

Six years later, Deano, now 31, is "just about back to normal" and he has no doubt about the importance of the role Phoenix House has played in his recovery.

"I owe Phoenix House and Help For Heroes so much," he says. "I honestly think I'm in a better position now than I was before the incident."

Indeed, Deano has recovered so well that he is now on the staff at Phoenix House, working as a strength and conditioning coach. His story is an inspiration to other injured soldiers who arrive at the centre to be treated for physical and mental injuries. He embodies what Phoenix House is all about.

The Northern Echo:
SMILING: Dean Middleton in the gym

And, to complete the fairytale, he is getting married this afternoon (Saturday, May 21) to fiance, Jade, at St John's Church in their home town of Seaham, in County Durham.

He and Jade went to the same school, always had a soft spot for each other, but went their separate ways when Deano joined the Army and she became a nurse.

"After what happened in Afghanistan, we met up again and it all just clicked into place," says Deano, with the big smile that has become his trademark at Phoenix House, especially since his beloved Sunderland dodged relegation from the Premier League.

He says he has never been happier – marrying his childhood sweetheart and carrying out a role he loves at Phoenix House: "Everything happens for a reason and it couldn't be better really. Jade's been a rock and I'm doing a job where I feel that I'm helping to change lives for the better."

And, of course, Deano is fully behind the "Keep It Up For England" initiative, launched today by The Northern Echo. "I think it's a great idea," he says, egging on Phoenix House colleagues Gary Holmes and Rob Hood in their efforts to keep the ball in the air for more than four or five times.

"The ball's too light," groans Rob, in the midst of another dismal failure to get near double figures. His complaints fall largely on deaf ears so he directs his excuses to Hero Bear, the Help For Heroes mascot, who is supporting enthusiastically from the sidelines – clapping and jumping up and down. "I'm sorry but here's too much wind," insists Rob.

Hero Bear can't speak so just gives a shrug, while Deano shakes his head and smiles that famous smile again.

He'll have two best men when he gets married at midday today – his closest friends Grant Dixon and Ian Bell – and he's vowed to issue the "Keep It Up For England" challenge to both of them during his wedding speech.

"They're both Sunderland fans so they'll be up for it," he says.

Wind or no wind, there'll be no excuses allowed.