A VETERAN who lost both legs and his right arm while on patrol in Afghanistan delivered a motivational speech to North-East teenagers today (Tuesday, March 25).

Andy Reid told schoolchildren at Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, to let nothing stand between them and their dreams.

He was joined by Paralympic hopeful Lyndon Longhorne, 18, from Crook, who lost both legs, an arm and the fingers on his other hand after being struck down by meningitis as a baby.

Mr Reid had served in the Army for 13 years when he stepped on an improvised explosive device in 2009.

“When I came round in the hospital I thought to myself ‘I am a survivor, not a victim,” said Mr Reid.

“Some of my friends were not so lucky. I decided then and there I was not going to let this stand in my way and I started to set myself goals.”

Since then, the 37-year-old has gone on to use walking, running, cycling and various arm prostheses and has completed several charity challenges.

He also co-founded Amputation Inspiration Motivation (AIM), a non-profit organisation that invests funds into creating opportunities for amputees and provides assistance towards further education, employment, sports and hobbies.

Woodham pupil Kimberley Hall, 16, said: “Andy’s story really touched our hearts and puts things into perspective.

"Sometimes we may think we have had a bad day but they have been through so much and are still smiling.”

For more information on AIM visit weareaim.org