Afghan war hero Peter Dunning returns to old school for annual prize giving

Nov 2 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Wallasey News

AN Afghan war hero who is bidding to represent his country at the next Paralympics went back to his old school in Wallasey to hand out awards at an annual prize-giving.

Former Royal Marine Commando Peter Dunning lost both legs in a land mine explosion while on active service in Helmand Province in 2008.

He nearly died in the incident, which left one Marine dead and another with severe burns.

But Wallasey-born Mr Dunning, 26, is now one of the world’s leading disabled skiers with an impressive medal cache from various international competitions.

As a member of the Great Britain Disabled Ski Team, he is bidding to represent his country at the 2014 Sochi Paralympics in Russia.

His return to the familiar surroundings of St Mary’s Catholic College sports hall was met by huge applause.

During the awards evening, he spoke of his ordeal to the capacity audience of nearly 1,200 people, making light of his injuries but admitting that in the early days following the explosion he believed his life was over.

Mr Dunning, who is due to become a father for the first time in the next fortnight, said: “I could not have been more wrong. In many ways it was a beginning. And like all the students who have won these awards through their hard work and determination, it was through hard work and determination that I am where I am today.”

His rescue from the battlefield by air ambulance and subsequent lifesaving surgery were the subject of ITV’s documentary series Doctors and Nurses At War. With the support of services organisation Battle Back, he slowly regained his former fitness, eventually learning to ski with specially adapted equipment. He said: “I had never skied before, and like many people, just used to enjoy watching it on Channel 4’s Ski Sunday.”

Mr Dunning, who walks with the aid of prosthetic limbs, and was selected to carry the Paralympic flame through the streets of Vancouver last year, added: “When I was asked to join the Great Britain Disabled Ski Team, I thought ‘what, me?’.” Since bidding Olympic and Paralympic competitors do not receive official funding, St Mary’s College presented him with £2,000 cheque, raised from a balloon race earlier this year. Headteacher Tony Boyle said: “We are very proud to count Peter among our former students.

“He is a truly inspirational figure, and a wonderful role model. We look forward to seeing him compete at the Paralympics.”