INCREDIBLE BOND OF

BRAVE Lydia Cross was just seven years old when she saw TV pictures of Mark Ormrod returning from Afghanistan a triple amputee after he was blown up by a Taliban bomb.

She had lost her own legs at the tender age of two to meningitis, so she was instantly moved to help the Marine and other soldiers like him.

“He’s got ‘ leggies’ just like me,” she said to her mum and, from that moment, she threw herself into fundraising for injured veterans.

The little girl then struck up an unlikely friendship with the tough Marine. Now a teen, she is campaigning to raise awareness of the disease – backed by the injured war hero she helped almost 10 years ago.

This Thursday Lydia turns 16, a compassionate young woman with a new mission in her sights.

Today Mark and Lydia speak about the amazing bond between them and how they have helped each other every step of the way.

Lydia said: “Mark was my hero from the moment I met him. Even though I was just a little girl, I instantly connected with him because he had lost his legs like me.

“I was aware from an early age that our soldiers had sacrificed so much.

“Today I feel lucky in my life. There have been difficult times growing up but my family, friends and humour have seen me through the worst days.

“It’s important to me to help families who have been affected by meningitis and to raise awareness.

“Now I am older I am proud to get involved with campaigning and it is an honour to have Mark by my side to help. He is an inspiration to so many and together we can show everyone that life goes on even when you lose limbs.”

INSPIRATION