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New business dream comes true for Taliban bomb victim
AN EASTBOURNE soldier who almost died when he stepped on a Taliban mine in Afghanistan has started a new business with his Army pay-out – as a funeral director.
Brave Christopher Howard, who had his right leg and hand blown off while serving in Sangin, Helmand province, was determined not to get stuck in a 'dead-end' job after battling back from his blast injuries.
Now he has set up a funeral directors in Seaside with his mother, Donna Payne, who works at the Eastbourne District General Hospital as a mortician.
The grand opening of Payne & Sons took place on August 11 - a year since Christopher was injured while on foot patrol. The ribbon was cut by Colonel Rob Thomson DSO MBE.
Christopher, 21, a sniper with the 2nd Battalion the Rifles, told The Herald, "I wanted to use my compensation to set myself up for life and thought this would be perfect.
"Everyone thinks I'm joking when I say I'm going to be a funeral director.
"There's a pause and then they realise I'm deadly serious.
"It might seem a strange choice of career after being blown up but being in a war zone, so close to death, has actually prepared me for this job.
"I saw a lot of things no one should see in Afghanistan and I'm not squeamish at all."
Christopher's mum, Donna, of Firle Road, had dreamed of opening up her own funeral parlour before he was sent to war.
Donna said, "I was at work when they told me Chris was critically injured.
"I went to be with him, and didn't think he'd make it.
"He'd lost all of his own blood and almost died twice. It was six weeks before I dared think he might live.
"I was there when he first opened his eyes and was so grateful he could see and hear me as he had shrapnel injuries to his face."
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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