Rifleman Chris Parkes

Chris joined the army in 2009 aged 21. After finishing the Combat Infantryman Course, Chris deployed to Afghanistan with Third Battalion, The Rifles.

Only a few days before Christmas 2009 Chris was very seriously injured in an explosion in Sangin, Helmand Province. Arriving back in the UK on Christmas Day 2009 Chris saw he had lost a leg, two fingers and required both elbows to be reconstructed in hospital.

After intensive rehabilitation Chris now uses a prosthetic leg to walk on. Always keen on fitness he has run several marathons since being injured but the pressure on his injuries makes running a difficult long term fitness solution, so Chris has since taken up cycling.

His new bike donated by Just Rifles has made a huge difference in keeping him fit and active. Chris says:

‘When you’ve been injured it’s easy to sit around the house and feel sorry for yourself – this bike has helped me to get out and about, and keep up the active life I had when I was in the army. Without it I’d struggle to stay physically and mentally active. I can’t thank Just Rifles enough for their generous donation.’