As soon as Dave Watson has conquered the dreaded roundabouts he claims he will be ready to tear up his learner driver plates and take to the open road.
Dave, 25, who lost both legs and his stronger right arm in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, has been taking weekly driving lessons during his break from Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey.
He recently bought his first car, a Range Rover Sport which has been specially adapted with help from charity cash, to enable him to get a full driver’s licence.
An accelerator stick has been set up on the driver’s side door and Dave uses the stump of his right arm to power the vehicle, while the other controls are done with toggles on the steering wheel.
The Scots Guards soldier, of Wordsworth Place, Walton-le-Dale, claimed he is motoring towards taking his test, with roundabouts the only stumbling block.
He said: “Hopefully it won’t be long before I take my test, not long at all.
“The most difficult part is going around roundabouts.
“When you go all the way around you are turning and it is hard to keep the power on the accelerator and keep it going.”
While Dave is looking forward to the freedom which being able to drive will bring, he has not yet decided upon the destination of his first drive once he has passed his test.
“I don’t know where I will go, I will just keep going until I run out of diesel”, he said laughing.
But he admitted his dad Kevin would be unimpressed with such an escapade.
Meanwhile Dave is set to attend a Help for Heroes fundraising night at Chorley FC on Saturday September 29, where he will give a small speech and tell people how he has benefited from the donations they have made.
The event is in its fourth year and is set to include a host of North West sports personalities, including Chorley’s Wigan Warriors rugby player Josh Charnley, Olympic steeplechaser Stuart Stokes and Chorley FC boss Gary Flitcroft.
There will also be performances from comedian Michael Lancaster and singer Alicia Jayne.
Tickets can be bought from the club’s social club or the Mitre pub on Weldbank Lane.
To donate to Help for Heroes or find out about other events log on to helpforheroes.org.uk.
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