Steven Barclay and Jacob Lester have a leg wax to raise money for Help For Heroes (From York Press)

Steven Barclay and Jacob Lester have a leg wax to raise money for Help For Heroes

9:39am Tuesday 18th August 2009

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IT’S not the sort of thing you’d expect an Army man to get involved in – but Jacob Lester has put his reputation on the line to raise cash for a charity which provides support to wounded war heroes.

The teenager braved a gauntlet of mockery from his colleagues at York’s Imphal Barracks when he decided to get his legs waxed to show his support for those whose sense of duty sees them put their lives on the line.

Jacob, a human resources specialist with 2 Signal Regiment, had already collected hundreds of pounds for Help For Heroes – which helps servicemen and women injured in foreign conflicts – after his role drove home to him how crucial providing proper care and treatment for wounded members of the armed forces is.

The 18-year-old from Fulford is right behind The Press’s own Debt of Honour campaign, which is calling for the Ministry of Defence to rethink the way it compensates those left with physical and psychological scars from military service.

He said: “It’s fair to say I got a bit of stick after deciding to get my legs waxed – and most of it isn’t printable,” said Jacob, who holds a private’s rank and has been based at Imphal Barracks for two months.

“But I wanted to do something for Help For Heroes which was a bit different, so I thought of this. Two girls from a local hair salon did the waxing for myself and my friend, Steven Barclay – and it was absolutely agonising!

“It brought a tear to my eye and, although I want to do other fundraising events, I won’t be doing that again.”

But behind the tears and jokes, Jacob says there was a serious message behind his leg-waxing exploits.

“Help For Heroes know the reality of what our soldiers do and give them fantastic support,” he said. “If people who are in the armed forces can take time to do something for them, hopefully it will encourage others to do the same.

That’s why I believe Debt Of Honour is a great idea – my father and I have already supported it, because the right compensation and care for our troops is definitely needed.”

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