New patron for Help for Heroes
Wiltshire based charity welcome veteran and Strictly star to their ranks
Last updated 29th Mar 2021
Former Royal Marine Commando 'JJ' Chalmers has become a patron of the military charity Help for Heroes which has it's headquarters in Downton.
LCpl John-James Chalmers served on operations in Afghanistan and was left with devastating inuries in 2011 after an Improvised Explosive Device an "IED" exploded whilst he was on foot patrol; the blast claimed the lives of two of his friends.
JJ lost two fingers and suffered facial and leg injuries in the incident, and his right elbow was badly damaged.
"I woke up a week later in hospital, in Birmingham. My hands were smashed up, my arm was sewn into my stomach and I felt like I’d never walk again. I couldn’t imagine going home. When I finally did, I had no idea how to live or what I could do that I’d care about as much as the Marines, which was everything to me.”
He endured hours of rehab and surgery including rehab at Tedworth House in Tidworth.
He later went on to compete in the inaugural Invictus Gamesin 2014, winning medals in cycling and on the track on a bike funded by Help for Heroes.
JJ later turning his hand to TV presenting but many of us will know him best from his stint on Strictly Come Dancing last year.
NEW CHARITY ROLE
Help for Heroes says the 34 year old's experiences make him the perfect candidate for a patron.
In a post on social media JJ said;
"My family and I have been supported by Help for Heroes throughout every step of my recover. I have proudly supported the charity as an Ambassador. and now I'm honoured to become a patron."
FAMOUS PATRONS
JJ joins a list of celebrity patrons for Help for Heroes including EastEnders actor Ross Kemp, Coronation Street's Antony Cotton and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly.
Singer James Blunt, who was born in Tidworth, where the charity operates recovery services from is also a patron.
You can find out more about the other patrons and the work of the charity on their website.