A NEWPORT soldier forced home from Iraq after suffering serious injuries nearly a decade ago is arranging a walk to raise money for charity.

Neil Spencer, a former Royal Welch Fusilier, who now lives in Celtic Horizons, Duffryn, was injured when a car exploded just yards from him in Basra in April 2004.

The 32-year-old suffered severed tendons in his left arm, which has left him with 50 per cent use of his left hand.

Mr Spencer has grown to live with his condition and now attends the gym six times a week.

He said: "I was quite lucky. I got hit pretty badly in the back, but my armour took the main impact.

"The tendons in my left arm were severed. I would say I have 50/50 use of my fingers. You get used to it and you adapt."

He added: "Initially I wouldn't say I had post-traumatic stress. I had stress, but that was probably because my mum died of cancer soon after I came back. I wouldn't put my stress down to the war.

"A lot of people I'm friendly with have serious mental problems and are on pills or have ended up in prison after coming back.

"I decided to turn my attentions to fitness and keeping fit."

He is now raising money for Scotty's Little Soldiers charity by taking part in a 55-mile walk next month.

The charity supports the children of men and women killed while serving in the British Armed Forces.

On August 23, Mr Spencer will make the long journey from Brecon to Cardiff Bay along the Taff Trail to raise money for the charity.

He said: "It's quite a new charity. A hell of a lot of people do a lot for Help for Heroes, but Scotty's is still an up and coming thing, and I felt they needed the money more than Help for Heroes.

"It's all about bouncing back. I will be starting a fitness instructor course soon with a view to hopefully starting something of my own."

To donate towards Mr Spencer's charity walk go to www.bmycharity.com/neilstafftrail.