A COMMUNITY fund­raising event is being organised in Hols­worthy by the mother of a soldier who was critically injured in Afghanistan.

L/cpl Jon List of 1 Rifles, a former Holsworthy Mayor's Cadet and student at Holsworthy Community College, was shot in the jaw on March 12 in Nawa in the Helmand Provence.

His mother, Debbie Merritt, said medics had hailed it a miracle that Jon, aged 22, had survived.

Three days before he was due to return to Camp Bastion, Jon was shot by a sniper. Amazingly the bullet missed his arteries and spine. Debbie said: "A centimetre either way and it could have been a very different story."

The bullet went into his mouth just above his left incisor before going through his tongue, shattering his jaw, ricocheting and coming out of his neck beneath his right ear.

Debbie praised the Navy medic who kept Jon alive: "Our heartfelt thanks go to the Navy medic who attended him on the scene, risking her own life in doing so."

She said her heart missed a beat when Army personnel arrived at her Holsworthy home to tell her Jon had been injured. She said: "It was very scary. He was critical and had lost a lot of blood."

Jon was flown into Camp Bastion and put into critical care. Once he was stabilized he was flown to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham. He was then transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham before being discharged on March 25.

Debbie said: "He is making amazing progress, and at this time is expected to make a full recovery, albeit with some scars and new dentistry. Given the nature of his injury, we are very lucky to have him with us."

On June 6 at Holsworthy Community College, Debbie will be organising a fun day in aid of 'Help for Heroes' and the St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service.

Debbie explained: "From the time we arrived at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham to meet him, we have all been cared for and supported by an organization called the 'St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service'.

"Their essentials are funded by the MOD, but the extras, the clothes, food, wash kits etc, are provided by the DMWS from charitable giving. They helped in many little ways that made a huge difference, from making phone calls to listening and counselling us through what was to be an emotional roller-coaster ride.

"Jon has yet to receive his help from 'Help for Heroes', but we expect him to in a few weeks when he will go to the renowned 'Headley Court', the rehabilitation centre for all three of our armed forces. 'Help for Heroes' has helped to fund state of the art equipment for this centre, and helps other forces charities."

Debbie also praised the military who had been "fantastic". She said: "We couldn't have wished for better care."

The June fundraising event is proposed to be, in part, a 'Fun Day', but also a community day, where all the many groups in and around Holsworthy can promote themselves and what they do.

As well as being interactive, with some fun challenges for people of all ages, the event will also raise the profile of the St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service, who are little known and rather unsung heroes for the part they play in the traumatic experiences of the casualties of war.

Jon said: "The support given to myself and my family by the DMWS has been superb from day one. I would like to ask the people of Holsworthy to support this event in order to enable the charity to continue supporting our service personnel and their families in times of crisis."

Debbie added: "We are asking for help, this has become a massive undertaking in a relatively short period of time, but one that we know that the people of Holsworthy, with all their military connections, will rally to.

"If you are able to support the event in any way, we will be most grateful. We need funds, as we have to pay for insurance, advertising and a myriad of minor expenses, practical assistance, and prizes. If you wish to run a stall to raise funds, and if you wish, to publicise your organisation, or can help in any other way, please contact me, Debbie Merritt on 01409 254144 or Jim Harvey on 07812495229.

"If you would like to donate to our Help for Heroes site please visit http://www.justgiving.com/helpforheroesholsworthy">www.justgiving.com/helpforheroesholsworthy, if you would like to donate to the DMWS please contact me."