A BRADFORD man has raised over £10,000 to help out his good friend and fellow veteran who lost both legs after his vehicle was blown up in Afghanistan.

Chris Brook has organised the fundraiser to help his former Platoon Sergeant Duncan Slater afford a set of new prosthetic leg sockets.

On July 30, 2009, while serving in Afghanistan, an IED threw Duncan over 30ft in the air, leaving almost every bone in his body broken.

At the time, he was three months into the tour and only two weeks away from going home to see his five-month pregnant wife.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus on the incident, Chris, who has lived abroad for years but was brought up in Apperley Bridge, said: "It was a really tough summer in 2009, we lost four lads and Duncan was also severely injured.

"We served together for years. We were on different operations when his accident happened."

Duncan - who was in the RAF regiment and served for 14 years - spent five months in hospital and eventually made the decision to amputate both legs below the knee so he could walk without pain.

Not to be denied, he has since raised a lot of money for charity taking on several physically demanding endeavours.

These include becoming the first double amputee to ski 200 miles to the South Pole; Cycling from John O' Groats to Lands End; running the London Marathon and competing in the Marathon De Sables.

Chris added: "Duncan is a real go-getter. He has done tons of fundraising down the years and has inspired us all. He is such a leader."

With the cost of sockets being over £8,000, Duncan has not had his replaced in years, so the lads thought it was only right that they banded together to help him. 

At the time of writing, £10,135 has been raised on a gofundme page titled 'Prosthetic leg sockets needed for Afghan veteran'.

"I cannot believe how much we have raised for Duncan," Chris said.

"He was going to set one up himself but I and the lads thought we can’t be having that. 

"The sockets are supposed to be replaced every year but he has had his for many years now.

"The military does not provide the stumps so we thought it was only right to band together and help him out."