Preston star Martin stars in new campaign

Amputee footballer Martin Heald will star in a series of short films produced by Barclaycard that have been filmed at various locations across Lancashire.

Martin, who works for the Lancashire Sport Partnership (LSP) in Leyland, lost his leg due to a rare form of bone cancer when he was a teenager .

Last year he featured in a LSP campaign to raise awareness of disability sport and said he enjoys being involved in such initiatives.

He said: “It’s a bit different to my every-day job so it’s a nice change.”

The 25-year-old, originally from Wesham, plays for the Everton Amputee side and has represented England since 2008.

Playing sport has enabled him to travel the world with tournaments in Argentina, Russia, Turkey, Dubai and Germany and the World Cup in Mexico . He said: “That’s one of the things I consider myself to be very fortunate with as I’ve been able to travel to places I probably wouldn’t gone to otherwise.

“It has given me the opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.”

Barclaycard is marking 10 years since contactless payments were established. Martin, who uses a wristband to pay for goods, said: “I’m on crutches for 80 per cent of the time so getting my wallet out can be a faff. So (the wristband) really does help.

“With a full time job and all of my football commitments, I’m always looking for ways to make my life easier.

"When Barclaycard approached me and asked me to feature in its new campaign, showing how using wearables such as my Barclaycard wristband to pay, keeps me on the move, I jumped at the chance."

Martin , who has been involved with the national amputee team for the best part of a decade and has featured for the Great Britain Paraclimbing team, said disability sport now benefits from increased exposure.

He said: “I think London 2012 was the big turning point. A lot of people went to see it that perhaps weren’t aware of disability sport before that.

“It changed the way a lot of people view the sports, it has definitely changed a lot in the last few years.”

On playing for England, he said: “Representing my country has been my proudest achievement but the road hasn’t always been easy.”

The view the promotional videos visit https://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal/live-contactless