Fresh from rowing across the Atlantic war veteran Neil Heritage has returned to Ringwood’s Dorset Orthopaedic centre.

The father-of two has just returned from successfully completing a 3,000-mile cross-Atlantic rowing challenge to help raise awareness of the expertise needed to help our injured soldiers.

He was one of six men on the 29ft Row2Recovery and spent an epic 51 days at sea.

Neil, who lost both his legs in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq in 2004, completed the race without his prosthetic limbs and used a seat that was specially made by Dorset Orthopaedic.

He shed two stones during his Atlantic challenge and visited Mr Watts last week to discuss how to make his prosthetics fit following his dramatic weight loss.

Speaking of the challenge Neil said: “It was incredible and it was terrible.

“I am really glad I did it because it was an incredible experience but I would never do it again.”

Neil met up with New Forest Conservative MP Desmond Swayne and Dorset Orthopaedic founder Bob Watts to discuss the importance of proving the very best facilities for injured servicemen when they return from combat.

Prothetist Bob Watts said Dorset Orthopaedic specialise in treating young people.

“Those in the NHS are trying their best but they don’t always have the expertise.

“It is not the people – it’s the system that we need to change which is what the Government are trying to do.”

Mr Swayne spoke of the “gap” in the expertise and experience when dealing with young, fit and active amputees.

“Clearly there is an issue with there being so many young fit amputees coming through an NHS system.”

Speaking about the delay in providing the very best facilities at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, Mr Swayne said: “There was bound to be a delay but we are over that now.

“Now there’s no excuse not to give people what they need, when they need it.”

Row2Recovery hope to raise £1 million to help injured servicemen and their families for more information visit row2recovery.com.