RAF veterans in Bargain Hunt D-Day special

West Sussex RAF veterans Dan Pelling (L) and Mike Goody (R) behind the scenes of Bargain Hunt's D-Day special

RAF veterans from West Sussex have taken part in a special episode of Bargain Hunt to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Dan Pelling, 44, from Horsham and Mike Goody, 39, from Littlehampton represented the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) in the head-to-head antiques contest against British Army veterans.

The 80th anniversary of D-Day will be marked on Thursday.

The pair described the experience as "amazing" and said it was a "positive soapbox" for the work of the RAFBF.

The BBC's long-running Bargain Hunt programme pits two teams against each other giving them an hour to acquire the best antique bargains to be sold, ideally for profit, at auction.

The RAFBF provides financial, emotional and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel.

Speaking to BBC Sussex, Mr Goody, who lost a leg after his section hit an improvised explosive device (IED in Afghanistan in 2009, said: "I've been an ambassador for the RAFBF since I was injured, they were there for my family and they were there for me.

"I stupidly turned to alcohol after I was injured and was essentially a clinical alcoholic at a really young age. My consultant set me straight and said for a young lad if I carried on this way I wouldn't see 30.

"I started relying on my support network and the RAFBF who were offering to help me with different things."

Mike Goody told BBC Sussex the opportunity was like a "positive soapbox" for the great work of the RAFBF who helped him after his injury

He added: "It’s super important that we take time to remember all those brave people involved and those who lost their lives in the process, on D-Day and subsequent days, months and years."

Mr Pelling, who was left paralysed from the chest down following a serious hit-and-run incident whilst deployed in Italy, said: “Bargain Hunt was amazing fun to be involved in.

"To be able to be part of the Bargain Hunt D-Day special as an ambassador for the RAFBF made it particularly memorable and meaningful and who knows, we may have even made a bit of money for the fund.”

The special episode of Bargain Hunt is set to air on BBC One at 12:15 BST on 3 June.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.