A SOLDIER who lost both his legs in a blast in Afghanistan has helped raise more than £20,000 for a charity which supports injured troops through golf.

Former green beret army commando Gregg Stevenson who served with the 24 Engineer Regiment, was one of 17 serving and ex-servicemen who played in a one-off tournament at Skipton Golf Club with representatives of businesses from across the country.

Gregg, from Foulridge, was injured in March 2009 when he stood on a landmine while on patrol in Helmand Province. Having learned to walk on prosthetic legs, he then became an ambassador for the charity, founded by Nick Faldo’s former manager John Simpson.

Gregg, who is now the national liaison officer for the On Course Foundation, said: “It was a great day and the good thing about the charity is it presents a visual sense of what we can achieve.”

The tournament was organised by Yorkshire businessman David Rasche, whose own son, an army officer, recently returned from Afghanistan.He said: “Golf through the handicap system is probably the only sport where disabled people can compete on even terms with able-bodied competitors.

“Previously very fit individuals gain a new challenge, purpose, passion and social engagement through the charity, which helps them re-build their lives.”

Taking up the sport is only the beginning for the On Course Foundation also helps them to find work in the golfing industry. Gregg, whose role with the foundation is to encourage injured colleagues to seek their help and source funding, said it has made a huge difference to many lives.

“I was left feeling like everything was sort of over and done with. But playing golf gave me back my competitive spirit, which is something that can be taken into the work place.

“One of our best success stories is a guy who had never played golf before, and he is now in the marketing department at Callaway Golf. Others have become greenkeepers or are studying at university.”