A VETERAN whose army career was cut short by a debilitating back injury has set up a locksmith business with the support of a Help for Heroes recovery centre.
Craig Donaghue, 33, has pledged to donate five per cent of his earnings from a job he arranges himself, rather than through a referral, to Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison.
Mr Donaghue, a former Green Howards soldier from Middlesbrough, injured his back in 2003 and despite multiple operations was discharged from the army in 2013.
Mr Donaghue, who saw action in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan, has now retrained as a locksmith and recently set up his own business called Key Commander Locksmiths, covering Teesside and surrounding areas.
He credits the support he received from Phoenix House, including CV writing, computer skills and life skills classes such as cookery and woodwork.
He said: “Help for Heroes has really supported me through my journey.
“It has been a long journey but I am really glad to be back working again.”
To contact Mr Donoghue visit www.keycommander.co.uk or call 07955-689418.
To support the Northern Echo’s £100,000 appeal for a performing arts centre at Phoenix House visit http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/campaigns/helpforheroes/donate/
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