Hull ex-soldier facing amputation completes Poppy Appeal run

The run around a course in Hull's East Park has already raised £1,500 pounds

An ex-soldier who is due to have his leg amputated has completed a 5km run to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.

Jon Hilton, 41, and from Hull, is a Royal Engineers veteran of Bosnia, Iraq, Kosovo and Northern Ireland.

Mr Hilton, who is due to have his surgery next month, finished the run in 33 minutes and said: "The emotion I felt was hiding the pain of the run."

He leg is to be amputated due to a blood clot and damage caused to the vascular system, he said.

The run around a course in Hull's East Park has already raised £1,500 pounds. His initial target was £250.

He said he had done the run to help the appeal because charities were struggling with Covid restrictions hitting their fundraising.

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The operation to amputate his leg is due to take place about 12 November

Mr Hilton, who now lives in Beverley, said: "I wanted to do a final run with two legs as something could go wrong.

"I started to feel more pain on the second lap of the run and was in agony, but I got to the finish line."

Hull's Lord Mayor, Steve Wilson, handed Mr Hilton a Civic Crown award and his Poppy Run 2020 medal.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service Mr Hilton said: "I just want to say a massive 'thank you' to everyone who's supported me, it's outstanding.

"I might never get to do this again, so I want it to be worthwhile."