A SOLDIER, who was seriously injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, has teamed up with an East Lancashire band to raise money for charity.

Sergeant Rick Clement, 32, who is originally from Chatburn in the Ribble Valley, got in touch with indie group Shakey’s Brother for one of his fundraisers after reading an article about them in the Lancashire Telegraph.

He listened to their latest track, A Soldier’s Tale, which is about the war in Afghanistan, and said the lyrics rang so true with him that he had to invite them to perform at his charity dogs night.

He said: “The more I read about the band, the more I thought they might be interested in what we are doing.

“When I listened to the words, they were quite meaningful, it made me think about my experiences with the military and the situation at the moment.

“It brings it all to a head. That’s the magic of music.”

Michael Pink, manager of the Grammy-nominated band, said the group was humbled and honoured to have been asked to take part.

He said: “Rick is such a brave guy because he has not only had to come through the darkest times of his life, but he has now turned a corner and is trying to help others.

“We are honoured that he wanted to work with us.”

Sgt Clement, who now lives in Blackpool, stepped on a roadside bomb while on a routine foot patrol with the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in Afghanistan and had to have both legs amputated.

He has since been raising money for the charities that helped him get his life back on track.

As part of the fundraising, he has also organised a sponsored walk through the Forest of Bowland on May 6 to help him reach his £100,000 target for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association, The Soldiers Charity and Help for Heroes.

Sgt Clement’s charity night will take place at the Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium in Manchester on April 20.

For information, visit a-soldiers-journey.co.uk