Veteran’s last charity run before he loses a leg

A MAN plans to run a “memorable and meaningful” run for the Royal British Legion before he has one of his legs amputated.

Jon Hilton, of Hull, is due to lose the limb after a blood clot developed in his groin following surgery.

He is planning to do the charity run in the city’s East Park today.

The 41- year- old Royal Engineers veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and other tours said he wanted to help the Royal British Legion.

He said: “I wanted to do one last charity event with my own leg. If I never run again I want the last one to be worthwhile and memorable.

“I’ve been for jogs during lockdown but they didn’t mean anything. I’d rather suffer for a great cause.”

Mr Hilton is set to begin his 5km run at 9am along the park’s jogging route before being presented with a medal from the Royal British Legion by Lord Mayor Steve Wilson.

His operation to amputate his leg is set to take place on Thursday November 12, the day after Remembrance Day.

His Royal British Legion fundraising page has so far had £ 689 in donations, almost triple the initial £ 250 target.

The veteran, who now runs a first- aid training business, said the run would be difficult as he has been in agony since the clot developed.

Mr Hilton said: “The surgery damaged my vascular system and I’ve been in a hell of a lot of pain ever since.

“It’s a risky operation. There’s the chance I could get an infection, that the prosthetic won’t take or that I might not wake up on the bed afterwards. But I’ve decided this is what I want to do.”

For more information about Mr Hilton’s appeal or to donate, visit: https:// mypoppyrun. britishlegion. org. uk.