Rhyl soldier's mountain challenge in brother's memory

Oct 1 2008 by David Rutland, Denbigh Visitor

A FORMER soldier from Rhyl is set to push himself to the extreme in memory of his brother, who was killed in a bomb blast three decades ago.

Sgt Martin Walsh was killed while trying to dismantle an IRA bomb at Newtownbutler in County Fermanagh.

This week his brother Sean Walsh, formerly of The Royal Welsh Fusiliers, will attempt to dash up three of the highest mountains in Britain wearing a helmeted bomb disposal suit.

Together with Major Colin Whitworth, who lost an arm to a car bomb, and Warrant Officer Nick Handy, Sean will tackle Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon between October 3 and 6.

The trio hope to raise £50,000 which will allow them to send15 members of the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association to the Hartford Ski Spectacular in Colorado this December.

The event is the largest adaptive ski event in the world and the British military contingent will include two triple amputees and three double amputees.

“This will be a tough challenge for all of us, but it’s to fund a very important trip,” said Sean. “My brother was killed by an explosive device in Northern Ireland more than a decade ago.

“Today, with young soldiers receiving blast injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan, this kind of trip forms a vital part of their rehabilitation. It’s a cause that is close to my heart because of the way in which Martin died.

“Some of those who we hope to take this year have sustained horrendous injuries on operations and this is a great way to help them rebuild their confidence.

“As members of the Armed Forces, most of them were extremely fit and active before they were injured. 75 members of the US Armed Forces will also take part and it’s a great opportunity for the guys to share their experiences and to come to terms with their injuries.”