News — Help for Heroes Ambassador

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''. 

He’s a Veteran, Invictus Games gold medallist, a Design Technology Teacher and a Help for Heroes Ambassador. He joined us on our ‘Challenge Yourself’ cycling photoshoot to model the range he helped create in partnership with Veteran Jaco Van Gass and our in-house designers. 

Andy served in the Royals Signals for 12 years with tours in the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan before being medically discharged and finding a new career path through the Troops to Teachers scheme.

Andy became involved with cycling when he joined Help for Heroes Band of Brothers taking on some amazing challenges, including Race across America in 2017, and his gold winning performance at The Invictus Games. With Jaco, Andy was perfect to bring his cycling experience to help design our latest collection influencing the look and feel as well as the kit’s technical detailing for improved performance.

He says ‘’Having purpose always makes you feel good and I think that myself and Jaco have really enjoyed the process from the very start up until now and I can’t wait to see the products in the catalogue and see people enjoy the kit’’.

The full range of 'Challenge Yourself' kit is available online now! This exclusive range includes professional and core cycling gear, technical t-shirts, vests, and a choice of shorts; all perfect to kick-start your fitness for Spring. 

Craig Gadd standing proud on our photoshoot

Craig joined us on our recent photoshoot to tell his story and help us showcase our latest collection. 

“Some people might have legged it, pardon the pun, when they were asked to be on a photoshoot but I loved it!" said Craig. “I had a few moves of my own in my kit bag to show off the gear as well.”

For Craig the darkest moment was shortly after his injury. “In hospital I saw myself naked in the mirror for the first time with a leg missing. It really upset me. A few tears rolled down my cheek, but I realised it wasn’t growing back so I dried my eyes and said to myself “crack on”. I was taught early on, the sooner you accept your injury, the quicker you move on with your life. Help for Heroes have always helped with that. They’ve always been there for me”

“I hope you like what you see in the range and not just because I am wearing it. I have got involved in lots of things with Help for Heroes since I was injured in Afghanistan. It is fantastic to see the love and affection for our veterans and serving soldiers. It means a lot to us. So please keep shopping and help the guys and girls to move on from their injury like I have.”