Story
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">For those of you who know me, you will know that on the 25th January ... I lost someone really really close to me ... for those of you who don't please read on. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">Pte Martin Bell was serving with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regement in Afghanistan. On the 25th January, he was fatally wounded in a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) in Helmand Provence - he was the 350th British Soldier to die in Afghanistan </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">Martin died after going to the aid of one his friends who had been badly injured by another IED ... the treatment he gave this friend ultimately saved his life, he crossed what has been described as ''probably the most dangerous piece of land in the world at that time'' to save his mate. This act alone, in my opinion makes him a Hero. In the same morning Martin had already seen another 2 of his friends badly injured by other IED's in the same area ... this day must have been truly horrific for all the guys involved. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">As everyone says .. the term 'hero' is often used out of context but I and many others truly believe that Martin is a 'True Hero' He's our Hero!! </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">Myself, Martins Brothers, Sister In-Law, our friends and some family friends are all doing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge in Honour of Martin in July to raise money for the Afghanistan Trust ....... the 3 peaks has to be done in 12 hours so were really going to have to go for it!!!! The challenge involves climbing Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside & Inglebrough in the 12 hours .. this is a total of 24 miles and some tough going! </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">As im sure most of you know .. Martin was never my boyfriend, but he was the closest & next best thing, for the past 6 nearly 7 years we had a strong bond with eachother, something that always brought us back together come rain or shine, not always perfect</span><span style="color: #c33b4c;"> but still, i loved him very much .... he will be truly missed by us all and I really want to do the best I can and raise as much money for this amazing charity as I can! </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;"><span style="color: #c33b4c;">The Afghanistan Trust was formed on 15 March 2007 to help support soldiers and their families who served with The Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan and who have been wounded or killed as a consequence, </span></span><span style="color: #c33b4c;">they have been truly amazing in helping us all out over the past few months so I'd really like to give something back to them .... Martin was immensely proud to be in the Parachute Regement and know he would want me to do my best ... so I'm giving it a damm good go!!!!!! </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">Some of the other lads who were injured on the same day as Martin are now unfortunately without some of their limbs ... the Afghanistan Trust will continue to offer help & support to them and their families for the forseable future, so p</span><span style="color: #c33b4c;">lease, please, please donate as much as you can for a good cause .... just the privilege of being able to see the state of me after doing this should spur you on!! </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">Be generous guys ..... lots of love</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #c33b4c;">Sarah xxx</span></p>