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'Your help's meant so much to Michael'
A HEARTFELT thank you has been sent out this week by the parents of a Bircotes soldier who suffered horrific injuries while serving in Iraq.
A HEARTFELT thank you has been sent out this week by the parents of a Bircotes soldier who suffered horrific injuries while serving in Iraq.
Michael Brennan, 25, a corporal in the Royal Signals and former pupil of Bircotes and Harworth Community School, was the victim of a suicide car bomb attack on 7th November while attached to the Black Watch regiment in war-torn Fallujah.
Shrapnel wounds to his lower legs left him needing emergency treatment to save his life. He has since had both legs amputated below the knee.
Had he not been partially shielded from the explosion by his Warrior armoured vehicle, he would have lost his life.
"The news that your child has been injured while serving in the army is every parent's worst nightmare, but for us it became reality," said John Brennan, Cpl Brennan's father, who lives in Bircotes.
"We just prepared ourselves for the worst. When we got the call later on saying he was being flown to a hospital in Germany – that is what kept us going, knowing he was alive. It was a really emotional and turbulent time."
But since news of Cpl Brennan's plight spread through the village, over 6,000 has been raised to help him on the road to recovery.
Now the married soldier is on the mend at a rehabilitation centre in Birmingham and last Friday he made his first visit home since the incident.
"I knew nothing about him coming home, so when I saw him it was pretty emotional," said Mr Brennan, 49, a miner at Harworth Colliery.
"He is doing brilliantly at the minute and while things will not be the same, he is adapting well and knowing how much the people of the village are supporting him has really cheered him up."
Cpl Brennan's mother Denise, 46, and wife Debbie had orchestrated the visit which Cpl Brennan wanted to make to thank the Bircotes community for their support.
So far fundraisers have included a raffle at the Pavilion Club helped by the hard work of John and Ann Duke, a charity football match organised by Paul Wilson raising 620 and a collection by miners at Harworth Colliery raising 766 – matched by 750 from the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM).
A function at Harworth Comrades Club in conjunction with John Smith and Mick Freeman of Bircotes Pigeon Club raised 1,600 with Mick O'Keefe of Solway Foods contributing sandwiches to the event.
A Sheffield Wednesday football, autographed by the team, was just one of many prizes in the charity auction.
Tickhill Club also held a charity event last Friday organised by Dave Lewis at which Cpl Brennan was surprise guest of honour.
Raffle prizes included a six-person day pass to Center Parcs, an iPOD donated by Mines Rescue Team, crystal donated by the UDM with SCE and Carbotech donating 300 and 100 respectively.
Mr Brennan also wanted to give particular thanks to Dave Lewis and Dave Challinor.
He added: "There have been so many people involved in so many ways and I want to thank each and every person who has helped."
"There are too many to list but you know who you are. Thank you."
The Guardian was unable to speak to Cpl Brennan in person.
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Weather for Worksop
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
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