Wigan army veteran’s marathon effort for Royal British Legion

 
A former British Army serviceman is taking on this year’s London Marathon in support of the Royal British Legion (RBL), after the charity stepped in to secure him vital compensation following a life changing injury.
 
James McDonald, 32, from Wigan, served for eight years in the Royal Logistic Corps after joining the Army aged just 16. A keen sportsman, he threw himself into Army life, representing his regiment in boxing and rugby, until one devastating tackle abruptly ended his career.
 
James sustained a severe knee injury while playing rugby, destroying his ligament and meniscus and snapping his femur bone. After four surgeries, he was medically discharged in 2018, ending a career he had joined to follow in the footsteps of his father, uncle and brother, all of whom served in the Armed Forces.
 
While still recovering physically and adjusting to civilian life, James attempted to navigate the compensation process alone, arriving at his tribunal with no understanding of what it involved and no representation.
 
He said: “I was 26 and had absolutely no clue what the tribunal was. They sent pages and pages of paperwork that meant nothing to me. I turned up in shorts and a T shirt, not realising how serious it was, and suddenly I’m standing in front of a judge surrounded by people in suits.
 
“They asked if I had representation and I said no. I didn’t even think I needed it. The judge adjourned the case and told me, in his opinion, I wouldn’t get anything.”
 
Unsure where to turn, James contacted the Royal British Legion. The charity immediately arranged representation for his next tribunal and continued to support him through the process, even attending on his behalf when James forgot the rearranged date.
 
“I didn’t turn up, but somebody else turned up for me,” James said. “That’s the thing that’s always stayed with me. Someone went out of their way to represent me and fight my corner.
 
“They secured the outcome for me, and it’s set me up for life.”
 
In addition to legal support, the RBL arranged for James to attend a multi day recovery course at the RBL’s Battle Back Centre, where he took part in adaptive sports including wheelchair rugby and mountain biking.
 
“It was brilliant,” he said. “Sport has always been my thing, and Battle Back helped me physically and mentally at a time when I needed it most.”
 
James’s marathon fundraising comes as the Royal British Legion announced a new £1million funding award raised by Postcode Lottery Players. It is support like this which is so vital to the RBL, helping the charity continue to support Armed Forces personnel, like James, across the Northwest and beyond.

Now working as a Transport Manager in civil engineering, James is determined to give back.
 
“Someone turned up for me that day when I didn’t,” he said. “So it makes sense for me to repay that in some way.
 
“Soldiers coming out of service really struggle. I’m lucky, I’ve got family support, but not everyone does. The Royal British Legion does so much more than people realise, and I want to support them so they can keep being there for others.”

 
Laura Chow, head of charities at Postcode Lottery, said: “James has shown incredible determination in the face of life-changing challenges, and the Royal British Legion has played a crucial role in supporting him at a time when he needed it most. 

"Thanks to funding raised by Postcode Lottery players, the RBL can be there for veterans like James. More than £1.5 million raised by our players is helping contribute to this vital work for members of the Armed Forces community across the UK.”

James’s marathon effort is also deeply personal. Both his father and brother have completed the London Marathon, and he is determined to follow them, and beat his father’s personal best of three hours 20 minutes.
“I’ve inherited the competitive gene,” he laughed. “I want a 3:15, but above all, I want to enjoy it and do it for the right reasons.”

James will be cheered on by his partner, who will be six months pregnant on race day, as he takes on the 26.2-mile challenge in support of the Royal British Legion.
 
The London Marathon takes place on April 26 and you can sponsor James by tapping here.