Afghan war hero cannot afford new prosthetic arm to hold children's hands

An Afghan war hero cannot afford a new prosthetic arm to hold his children's hands.

Ben McBean, 39, has been forced to appeal to the public to fund a new prosthetic arm to hold his two boys' hands.

Mr McBean lost his arm and leg in Afghanistan in 2008 after he was hit by an IED.

Only ever being given static prosthetics, the war hero had to negotiate to have them painted to match his skin colour.

The static prosthetics have limited Mr McBean – he cannot hold his boys', Albie, nine and Maddox, five, hands or open a door.

He told The Sun: "I want to be able to hold my child’s hand. Hold a glass, even just open a f***ing door. It is the most basic things.

"I want to be able to pick up my kids properly. I want to be able to say, ‘Maddox you hold my left hand, Albie you hold my right hand, let’s cross the road’.

"At the moment I have to get them to form a chain. They don’t notice because it has been that way their whole life, but I notice it every time."

However, as he cannot afford a bionic prosthesis nor is he able to access it through the NHS, the veteran has had to gain private funding.

The NHS announced it would offer all amputees – military or civilian – bionic prosthetics in 2022.

But Mr McBean, who is from Plymouth, said he has never been offered this despite going to the doctors every two years for further surgeries on his wounds.

The war veteran, who has raised significant sums of money for charities, said: "I have never had a hand that moves, but technology is there. In my experience, you get the basic ones on the NHS, but if you want something ‘Gucci’ (slang for good), you have got to pay for it."

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He decided to set up a GoFundMe page, with a £26,000 target, explaining to the private donors he is "trying to raise a few quid" so he can "experience a bionic arm", which he described as a "dream" for him and his family.

The page has raised almost £22,000.

As the donations have rolled in, Mr McBean wrote on the page: "I can't actually believe this. Thank you so much, everyone. Really can't believe the support."

Six weeks later, he posted again: "One step closer. Can't bloody believe it.

"Nothing like this ever happens to me. Absolutely buzzing and grateful to everyone."

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson struggled to access bionic prosthetic legs after he was injured in combat in 2006, said: "Those who have sacrificed the most must be given the best. That includes Ben McBean and what he wants for his arm."

One donor said: "God bless you Ben, thanks for your service. I wish I could donate more."

Another, who donated £200, wrote: "Thank you for your service, hopefully this donation helps you get back to a semblance of freedom and the normality you remember."

Mr McBean joined Prince Harry in a medical evacuation flight out of Afghanistan in 2008, being hailed as a hero.

Andy Reid, a triple amputee who lost both legs and an arm in Afghanistan said getting the right prosthetic care was a "post code lottery".

He, the former corporal from the Yorkshire Regiment, said some areas provide a "really good service" and others are lacking.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "The Veterans’ Mobility Fund continues to accept applications.

"Individuals who have previously encountered difficulties are encouraged to contact Help for Heroes, which administers the government fund with Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity."

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