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A Real Fighter: Private Damien Thomlinson

A Real Fighter: Private Damien Thomlinson

Private Damien Thomlinson, member of the elite 2nd Commando Regiment of the Australian Army, is a previous customer of ours and was recently featured on 60 minutes and 4BC radio.

During a night patrol in Afghanistan, April 2009, the vehicle Damien was travelling in was hit by Taliban mine. The blast destroyed the vehicle and left him in an unrecognizable state. He was located amongst the wreckage thanks to the rasping sound he made as he attempted to breathe but was close to death with both his legs partially amputated and significant injuries to his upper limbs. His comrades did an amazing job rescuing him; it was after midnight, dark, with dust and debris everywhere and they had to provide security while under enemy fire.

In spending time with Damien you quickly learn that he’s a bit of a larrikin. He’s a live wire, friendly, has a keen sense of humor and calls it as he sees it. What is most impressive though is his positive attitude. He hasn’t been fazed by his injury. You wouldn’t know he has a physical challenge because it doesn’t slow him down in the slightest. Damien had an amazing rate of recovery, driven by his determination to be on the landing strip when his comrades came home, and now he’s unstoppable; a fitness fanatic at the gym, in the pool and on the slopes snowboarding, he also can’t wait to get back to work!

We modified Damien’s new turbo Audi A4 with an accelerator ring hand control. He wanted to have the best sport-oriented hand controls to suit his car and the ability to make use of all the accessories this vehicle made available to him. The accelerator ring was the obvious choice. We were lucky enough to introduce Damien to his Audi for the first time and he absolutely loved it. He was looking forward to taking it out to see what it could really do.

Damien is also campaigning to raise money for the Commando Welfare Trust. This Trust provides discretionary funds to support the families of serving and ex-serving members of Special Operations Command east coast units, who have been killed or injured in the course of their duty.

While the Departments of Defence and Veteran Affairs are well established to cover this process, the Trust has been created to support the emergency and long term financial requirements of these families, and where grants or entitlements cannot support.

If you would like to donate please make a direct deposit into the Commonwealth Bank of Australia account 'COMMANDO WELFARE TRUST', BSB - 062 000, A/C - 1389 8012.

Or you may also donate to the Trust at the address below:

Commando Welfare Trust
C/O 2 Cdo Regt
RXO
2 Cdo Regt
Tobruk Lines
Holsworthy Barracks
HOLSWORTHY, 2173

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