AN ex-soldier who was shot in the leg in Afghanistan has had vital improvements made to his home by a military charity.

Kingsman Sean Winder, from Burnley, joined the Army in 2009 aged 20.

In 2010, while on deployment in Afghanistan, Sean was shot through the right femur, an injury which led to complications requiring months of treatment and rehabilitation.

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Sean said: “Once the wound had healed, it turned out I had one leg shorter than the other by about three inches.

“I had to have it re-broken and a frame put on my leg to lengthen it.

“That process took five months.

“Because my leg had been straight for five months, when the frame came off it just stayed straight and didn’t bend.

“Through treatment I’ve managed to be up and riding a bike again – not as fast as I used to, but I can do a good jog now.

“It’s still an ongoing process – it’ll always be like this now.”

The North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association were informed that Sean was struggling with some things at his Burnley home such as the stairs and getting around comfortably.

Sean added: “Based on the recommendations, they’ve built a new extension to the back of the house and installed a fully accessible ‘wet room’ bathroom and a new, more accessible kitchen.

“I don’t have to go upstairs at all any more.

“Everything I need is on the ground floor.

“It’s a lot better – everything is easier.

“I’m all settled in now, and can get on with life and running my own business.” To date, NW RFCA has carried out 33 home adaptations in the North West for servicemen and women.

The aim of the programme is to provide normality in the home by altering the home to suit the individual’s needs.