A SOLDIER who lost both his legs in a bomb blast in Afghanistan says he has come to terms with what has happened to him.

Fusilier Shaun Stocker, of Rhostyllen, was a member of the 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh when he was badly injured on duty in Masizi in the south east of Afghanistan in April.

As well as losing both legs above the knee joints, the 19-year-old dislocated and fractured his shoulder, lost his little finger, got shrapnel wounds in his arms, lost his left eye and only has limited vision in his right eye.

Speaking as he gave his backing the ‘Forces in Mind Trust’, a £35m project funded by the Big Lottery which will provide long-term support for former forces personnel, Shaun said he was keen to help others.

Speaking from Headley Court in Surrey where he has been undergoing rehabilitation since the middle of June, Shaun said: “The Trust is a great idea.

“Serving in the army can have a big effect on someone’s mental health so this would be good payback for their service for their country.

“I’m feeling pretty fine and I’ve come to terms with what happened to me, but for some people, especially those that have served for long periods, it is hard to adjust to life outside the Army.

“Anything that can help people overcome mental health problems and stop them turning to things like alcohol and drugs is a good thing.”

Shaun received a Campaign Medal from the Queen last month.

At the time he said: “Getting a medal from the Queen is such an honour.

“I was nervous about speaking to someone so important in case there was a pause in the conversation, but she seemed to know about me and that I’d been released from hospital just two days ago.”

Sean was six days from the end of his tour on April 4 when he stepped on an explosive device while clearing a path for fellow soldiers.

He received extensive treatment at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham and was then transferred to Surrey for rehabilitation on June 15.