'I lost my legs in the Army... Helping youths on the canals rebuilt my self- esteem'

When Gregg Stevenson was in school he wasn’t sure
what he wanted to do with his life. A self-described
college dropout, he was keen on sport and the
outdoors but had no clear direction.
Until he found the military.
After joining the Army as a Royal Engineer in 2006
aged 20, it didn’t take long before he was hiking 30
miles across Dartmoor, training to join the
commandos.
Exhausted but happy he realised that this was where
he would flourish. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
After months of intense training, and just two weeks
before the end of his first tour of duty with the elite
24 Commando Engineer Regiment in Helmand
Province, a Taliban bomb exploded.
Gregg’s life was changed for ever.
“I never knew what I was going to be,” the father-of-
two says.
“I always had this niggling feeling that I might be good
in the military but it took me a while to figure it out.
“The military ignited my passion for fitness. It showed
me what I was capable of, which was a lot more than I
thought. When I did the commando course I was
stretched to the limit.
A rejuvenated Gregg gives youngsters advice as they
prepare to canoe the Foulridge Tunnel
"You are cold and wet and still have to show
robustness. I was a softy but I soon learned better.”
Gregg lost his left leg above the knee and his right leg
just below it. He describes being so traumatised after
stepping on the mine that he didn’t realise how injured
he was.
It wasn’t until a nurse confirmed his worse fears three
days later that he knew he had lost his legs.
It took years of recovery but it was his friends, family,
fellow servicemen and his optimistic outlook on life
that got him through it.
Gregg, 32, says: “Looking back, I think the biggest
thing was that my confidence took a hit. I didn’t want
to socialise, I couldn’t keep fit the way that I enjoyed.
I felt lost.
“But what helped me was regaining my fitness, talking
about what happened and where I was going. When I
was stressed or anxious I would exercise, which made
me stronger, less lethargic. I looked after my nutrition
and got back outside. Psychologically I had to readjust
and accept that I couldn’t do everything.
“As weird as it sounds, I really enjoyed my time in
Afghanistan. It felt right. It was exciting and hard and
challenging, all the things that have made me who I
am.
“The camaraderie and the friendships I formed were
amazing. That is the true spirit of the lads. We faced
hardships together but always worked as a team. It
wasn’t perfect but we stuck together, we had a goal.
Greg joined the army as a Royal Engineer in 2006 aged
20
“I’ve always been robust and cheerful and I think
people just expected me to handle it, which helped
really, because I didn’t want to let them down. So I
just got on with things.”
Gregg’s optimistic crack-on-withit view on life is
inspiring, and one he wants to share with others.
Now, Gregg, of Pendle, Lancashire, works at the local
Nelson College teaching teenagers some of what he
learnt in the military.
Part of that includes volunteering on the construction
of the Desmond Family Canoe Trail.
The trail stretches 162 miles from Liverpool to Goole,
taking seven to 10 days to complete. It has been
funded by a £1.3million donation from the Desmond
Foundation, led by Sunday Express owner Richard
Desmond.
The Canal and River Trust has worked with 2,000
youngsters on the project, giving them experience that
will be valuable in future jobs.
The trail includes paddling under the Pennines via the
mile-long Foulridge Tunnel, Britain’s longest canal
tunnel for canoes.
Gregg, who has been on the project for five months,
takes teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds,
youth offenders and some who just need a bit of
support to learn to canoe, take part in canoe-based
litter picking, make hedgehog boxes and repaint locks
that had been covered in graffiti.
He believes the canal is the perfect environment to
help them.
“I saw what good work the college was doing and I
had to get involved," Gregg says.
“The canal runs by the building and it is just perfect
for teaching the kids. They learn about physical
exercise, having to take responsibility, giving back to
the community. They have been picking up litter and
helping make it look better.
“They are 15 to 19 and making decisions that can
shape the rest of their life. The point is to raise
aspirations and the canal is a wonderful place to do
that. You’re outdoors and it is peaceful but there are
challenges. They start sceptical but fall in love with it
by the end.” And it isn’t simply the youths that are
benefiting.
“I think it has helped me engage with the community
again. The canal is so important to where we live, we
are a poor area and need these hubs to bring energy
and life. That’s what the canal has the potential to be.
“My eldest, Harry, learned to ride his bike down there,
my youngest, Jack, has a fascination with the cafe. It
is a place for families.
“We love going down there. It gives you something to
do on a Sunday afternoon. It feels like your mission for
the day.”

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