A HEROIC ex-Army medic, who lost his legs whilst serving in Afghanistan, is to talk about his route back from a hospital bed to triathlons at Winchester’s Discovery Centre next month.

Sgt Simon Harmer stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while patrolling with The Coldstream Guards metres from their base on October 26, 2009.

He sustained life-threatening injuries to his legs and right arm - just three months after his marriage to wife Marisa.

Doctors feared Simon might not survive but, after emergency surgery at Camp Bastion, he was transferred back to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham.

Initially on the critical list, within a week the 38-year-old was able to give his friends a thumbs-up, and tell them: “I am still the same old Si, just a little shorter and a little lighter.”

Despite five years of operations and rehabilitation, he has never lost his resilience - or his sense of humour.

He now not only walks with his prosthetic legs, but takes part in marathons and triathlons.

Military personnel who step on an IED often sustain groin injuries which prevent them from going on to have children.

The couple, who live in Colden Common, are therefore thankful that they now have a daughter Sophia, three, and son Leo, two.

Simon has served as a volunteer Help for Heroes ambassador for several years, helping to raise awareness of the services charity.

Now he’s formed his own public speaking company Blown Away, and tours Britain and Europe telling his inspirational tale.

He will speak at Winchester’s Discovery Centre on February 27.

“My presentation is quite funny, it’s not a sob story,” he said.

“It’s about playing the hand you have been dealt, and making it a flush rather than folding.

“When I was hit, I accepted the fact that my legs were gone. All I was worried about was whether I would be able to have children.

“So many people have helped me. At Camp Bastion I had to have 35 units of blood. That’s 35 people that I’ll never meet who saved my life.

“Now I want to live my life as fully as possible as a thank you to them. I feel as though I’ve been given a second chance.”

“Blown Away – From Trauma to Triumph” will be at the Discovery Centre, in Winchester’s Jewry Street, on February 27 at 8pm. Tickets cost £8, or £6 if booked online.

For more information log onto Simon Harmer’s website: blown-away.org.