Soldier Calum is back on track after help from Poppyscotland

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SPONSORED: Soldier Calum is back on track after help from Forces charity The Sunday Post

Following in his family’s footsteps by joining the Army was a long-held ambition for Calum Cook. However, his boyhood dream and an aspiring career in the military was cruelly cut short last year.

A back injury coupled with arthritis meant the young soldier, who was just 18 when he joined the 4 SCOTS (The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland), was left crippled with pain.

His disability, combined with the sudden exit from the job he loved, was tough on dad-of two Calum and his family, but they have received life-changing support from Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland, which works year-round to help those who have served, those still serving and their families.

The ex-soldier, who was born in Germany when his dad was posted there with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, recalled: “Joining the Army was something I always wanted to do. And my dad and brother were in the Armed Forces, too.

“After I finished training I was over in Germany. I loved it. Then the unit, the 4 SCOTS, got moved back to Catterick, North Yorkshire. In total, I served for more than six years. I loved most of that time…until I got injured.”

He said: “I was being made to do stuff I couldn’t do and going home at the end of the day in tears because I was in so much pain, to the point I ended up in hospital in a really bad way with mental health.

“It was the Army’s decision to medically discharge me. I knew it was going to happen as I couldn’t do the job anymore because of the pain. But, at the same time, I had a mortgage – and two young kids. The Army gave me and my family security. I didn’t know what was going to happen.”

Thankfully, help was at hand. Earlier this year Calum and his family received life-changing funding through Poppyscotland.

The ex-soldier, who has systematic inflammatory arthritis as well as chronic back pain, was also granted funding from Poppyscotland for a new recumbent bicycle where the rider sits in a reclined position, boosting his freedom and fitness.

He added: “Before, I was very active and really fit. But when I was discharged my fitness suffered. I would get out of breath walking up the stairs. But now I have some fitness back.

The bike has got me out a lot ...

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