Sergeant Michael Lyddiard will be attempting the Rottnest Channel Swim (19.7 km) on Saturday 26 February 2011 and he is seeking financial sponsors with all money raised going to Legacy.
Just over three years ago, on 2 November 2007, Sergeant Lyddiard, a bomb disposal expert, went to disarm an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and as he was approaching the IED it exploded. Sgt Lyddiard lost his lower right arm, right eye and two fingers off his other hand during the blast as well as suffering serious shrapnel and blast wounds to his face and legs and hearing loss.
Sergeant Michael Lyddiard and wife Katri
Just six weeks later he was back at work with his unit, the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, working in the operations cell and concentrating on explosive ordinance disposal trials. Since then he has undergone numerous bouts of surgery, from skin grafts on his face, fitting a glass eye, a lens and cornea transplant in his other eye, and fitting of a mechanical arm. He doesn't display any self-pity and has a humorous and philosophical outlook on life.
In July of last year Sergeant Michael Lyddiard marked another milestone in his recovery, finishing the 8 km Magnetic Island to Townsville swim in a time of 2 hours and 48 minutes.
Michael Lyddiard with Katri, Mason and Kyran.
Sergeant Michael Lyddiard is now in Perth training for the Rottnest Channel Swim on Saturday 26 February. Apart from the personal challenge of completing the swim he has also set himself the challenge of raising at least $10000 for Legacy to support the families of colleagues who didn't come home. To date he has raised $7710 and he needs your support to achieve his goal. His appeal for support is included below:
"Hello everyone,
I would like to ask for your support by visiting the unique web address below. Not only will you be supporting me but a Greater Cause! Everyone needs some form of inspiration; please pass this web address on to your friends and family.
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/michael_lyddiard
Thank you for your support.
UBIQUE - Follow the SapperKindest regards,Michael Lyddiard"
In one word Courage: love of country and his fellow soldiers. He put it on the line, not for himself, but for all that love freedom. Thanks for posting this Sue...
ReplyDeleteMay God Bless this young man and his family. What a hero he is!
ReplyDeleteHead on with humour tinged with dignity ... YA ..........
ReplyDelete'ave a good one Sue...