DAN RICHARDS | DAN'S THE MAN
Dan Richards is cool, funny and life affirming to be around. He is a professional model, cyclist and body confidence ambassador. Oh yes, he has also lost his right arm and shoulder after an accident and was medically discharged from the Army in 2012.
After 330 job applications he was down on his last few pence, living at home, becoming increasingly depressed and reclusive. ''I thought to myself what have I got to look forward to? If this is what life has got in store for me after the military, I would rather not be part of it''. After feeling that he had hit rock bottom, Dan accepted that he needed help to improve his life.
His mum got in contact with Help for Heroes to get help for Dan. Renewing the support turned things around. Dan was put in touch with Capstar Chaffeurs - a new start-up employing ex-military. Living back in London he started to ''win himself back'' and take every opportunity that came his way through Help for Heroes.
''The support from Help for Heroes and the great British public - there are thousands of us on the receiving end of it. If I could I would go out and thank each one of them who have run a marathon, cycled hundreds of miles around France or bought a hoody or T-shirt. It might be a hoody or a T-shirt to you, but you are indirectly helping to change a person's life and that is the biggest reward in itself. I am testament to that''.
