Postie mounts monster trek to help wounded soldiers

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A postman who trained as a Royal Marine is preparing for a fund-raising trek across the Welsh mountains after one of his former comrades suffered horrific injuries in an Afghan bomb blast.
Mike Wood, from Newtown, is set to take on the gruelling Welsh 3,000s challenge and will donate every penny to Help For Heroes in honour of Aaron Moon, who was left fighting for his life when the armoured vehicle he was driving was blown up by a roadside bomb.

Aaron, 22, suffered horrendous injuries in the blast, including a ruptured spleen, dislocation of both knees, a dislocated pelvis, broken collar bone, heel and legs and also broke the bottom of his spine.

Mike, also 22, who will be joined every step of the way on March 6 by his ex Rainford High pal Peter Byrne, 21, said: "I trained as a Royal Marine for a time but opted to come out because it wasn't right for me at the time. I was always in the same sections as Aaron and we became best mates.

"When he got injured it took about two weeks for the news to sink in. I visited him at Selly Oak Hospital and he was in a really bad way. It's amazing that he's still alive."

Aaron was serving with the Armoured Support Group, in Lashkagar, when he was blasted into the air by an improvised explosive device (IED) last February.

He was flown to Selly Oak Hospital, in Birmingham, where he was put in a controlled coma.

A week later, Aaron was brought out of the coma and after two long months of painful treatment he was finally allowed back to his parents' home in Westhoughton near Bolton.

The Welsh 3,000s challenge is a marathon 26-mile trek from the top of Snowdon to Foel Fras, including some 14,000ft of climbing and 15 summits.

Most hikers aim to complete the challenge over two or three days, but Mike and Peter hope to cross the finishing line after just 12 hours.

Mike added: "We're set to camp out on Snowdon overnight and then crack on at first light the following morning. I think the record is something like five hours but we'd be happy to finish it in 12!"

Aaron, who is back walking again but can't run, said: "When Mike told me what he was doing I was really flattered.I think it's a great idea. Help For Heroes offers terrific support for the lads who come home injured so I hope people get behind him."

To sponsor Mike and Peter, go online at: http://www.justgiving.com/trekforcharity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;