Andy Reid MBE appointed Ambassador for Hilary Meredith Solicitors
Triple amputee, record-breaking adventurer and military veteran Andy Reid MBE has been appointed Ambassador for Hilary Meredith Solicitors, bringing together two passionate advocates for Britain's Armed Forces community.
For Andy Reid MBE, life changed forever on 13 October 2009.
Serving as a Corporal with the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, Andy was on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when he stepped on a Taliban improvised explosive device.
The explosion caused catastrophic injuries. Andy lost his right leg below the knee, his left leg above the knee and his right arm. His injuries were so severe that there were fears he would not survive.
What followed was a remarkable story of recovery and determination. Andy has gone on to become one of Britain's most inspirational veterans, undertaking gruelling endurance challenges, raising funds for military charities and sharing his experiences with audiences across the country.
In 2022, he made history by becoming the first triple amputee to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. In April 2026, he achieved another milestone, becoming the first triple amputee to complete the London Marathon.
But perhaps Andy's greatest achievement lies in the lives he has helped to change.
In 2020, Andy co-founded the Standing Tall Foundation, a charity supporting veterans and vulnerable people facing some of life's toughest challenges.
Based in St Helens, the Foundation provides support with mental health, addiction, housing, welfare and wellbeing, helping people rebuild their confidence, independence and sense of purpose.
Having experienced catastrophic injury, rehabilitation and the challenges of rebuilding his own life, Andy understands that some of the hardest battles are fought long after a soldier has left the battlefield. His voluntary service to veterans and people with disabilities was recognised with an MBE in 2019.
Founded by award-winning solicitor, lobbyist and campaigner Hilary Meredith-Beckham, Hilary Meredith Solicitors has spent more than two decades championing the rights of Armed Forces service personnel, veterans and their families.
Hilary Meredith-Beckham, founder and CEO of Hilary Meredith Solicitors, said:
"Andy is quite simply one of the most extraordinary people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
"What happened to him in Afghanistan would have been enough to break the spirit of many people. But his story is not defined by what he lost that day. It is defined by everything he has achieved since.
"Throughout my career, I have represented members of our Armed Forces whose lives have been devastated by injury. I know that behind every injury is a person, a family and a future that deserves to be protected.
"Andy embodies everything we stand for - courage, compassion and an absolute refusal to give up. We are proud to welcome him as our Ambassador and to work together to ensure that those who have sacrificed so much for our country are never forgotten."
Andy Reid MBE said:
"I'm proud to become an Ambassador for Hilary Meredith Solicitors. We share a belief that those who have served our country deserve every opportunity to rebuild their lives.
"I know how important it is for injured service personnel and their families to have someone in their corner. Someone who understands what they're going through and is prepared to fight for them. Hilary has spent her career doing exactly that, and I can't think of anyone better to have on your side.”
From the battlefields of Afghanistan to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Andy Reid MBE has spent the years since his injuries proving that adversity does not have to define a person's future. Now, as Ambassador for Hilary Meredith Solicitors, he will continue to stand tall - and help others do the same.
