A FORMER soldier from Ebbw Vale is training to be a paramedic thanks to support from the Royal British Legion.

Nathan Williams, 24, got a taste for helping patients as a private with the 2nd Batallion the Royal Welsh, but left the army 18 months ago to pursue a new career saving lives.

During his six years as a soldier, Mr Williams took part in three tours of Iraq and became a company medic by administering first aid to fellow soldiers.

His first medical responsibilty was to help three soldiers injured in an explosion in Basra in 2004 - cleaning shrapnel wounds to their legs and backs and treating a twisted ankle.

He developed an interest in treating casualties and undertook further training, but became disenchanted with the soldier’s lifestyle and decided to change careers in 2008.

“I was going on tour then coming back to do training work, then going on another tour, then back for more training,” he said.

“It was all right for a short while but it just wasn’t for me.”

He got accepted onto a three-year training course with the East of England Ambulance Service in Huntingdon, but needed £1,000-worth of repairs to his car to get to his new job and return home at weekends.

A friend from the Welsh Guards recommended the Royal British Legion (RBL), which supports current and former servicemen, and the charity provided funding for the repairs - enabling him to start his job a fortnight ago.

He said: “I was really grateful for the help from the RBL and would recommend them to anyone,”

To donate, visit www.britishlegion.org.uk