The army veteran praised by Prince Harry during his guest appearance on Car SOS last night is a former rifleman who went from having both legs blown off by an IED at just 21 to cycling thousands of miles for charity.
Former Corporal Lance Stephan van Niekerk, 36, lost his left leg at the hip, right leg below the knee and five fingers when he stepped on an improvised explosive device in Sangin during his second tour of the country in 2009. .
The father of four has been discharged from the hospital and, with the support of his wife, Sadie, and rehab from the army, has reinvented himself as a motivational speaker for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity.
He was nominated to appear on National Geographic’s Car SOS show by Sadie and his best friend Ian, who wanted to reward him for his bravery and positivity by fulfilling his ambition to become a champion off-road driving with his 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
During yesterday’s episode, the show’s team repaired Stephan’s faulty vehicle, before Harry praised him in a video message for his ‘selfless’ work inspiring young people.
Former Corporal Lance Stephan van Niekerk, 36, with his wife Sadie, lost both legs in an IED blast in 2009.
The 36-year-old, pictured while serving in Afghanistan, is now a motivational speaker.
Prince Harry expressed his admiration for the resilience and determination of Mr van Niekerk (pictured) and praised the Car SOS team for repairing his Jeep.
The former soldier, from Taunton in Devon, joined 3rd Battalion, the Rifles, at the age of 21 before being caught up in the IED explosion seven years later.
Recalling the incident during an interview with the Somerset County Gazettehe said: ‘We would take the fight to the enemy, looking for Taliban, weapons, drugs or bomb-making equipment.
“The patrol was preparing to return to the base and when I got close to one of the guys, the device hit me.
“Immediately afterwards I was conscious and was evaluating myself. I could see my legs were blown off.
“There was a lot of confusion. I don’t remember feeling any pain, but there was a bone sticking out of my left leg. The guys got me out of there and before I knew it I was at Camp Bastion.”
Sadie heard the news that same night from one of Stephan’s military colleagues.
The former soldier, from Taunton in Devon, joined 3rd Battalion, the Rifles, at the age of 21 before being caught up in the IED explosion seven years later.
He has reinvented himself as a motivational speaker for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity.
After a grueling period of rehabilitation, Stephan now combines inspirational speaking with performing feats of endurance for charity, including a 2,745-mile bike trip from Canada to Mexico for Blesma, a charity for limbless veterans.
After Mr Van Niekerk was shown the restoration of the vehicle last night, Harry said in a video message: ‘Stephan, congratulations. I hope that at this point you are sitting in your new Jeep, or indeed what looks like a new Jeep.
‘Good for your friend, well done, completely, completely, completely deserved. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this more than you.
Harry is known for his support work for injured veterans and helped organize the Invictus Games, an event for wounded, injured and sick men and women.
Turning to Stephan, he added: ‘After being injured at such a young age after two tours of Afghanistan, you are the definition of inspiration because you are not defined by your injury. You define yourself by your selflessness towards others, towards your community, your inspiring talks with young people.
And, of course, your four children and your amazing wife Sadie, who has undoubtedly brought you here. So all my respect, well done, and I heard, someone told me, that you’re planning to cycle from Canada to Mexico, only about 2,745 miles I think.
Mr. van Niekerk regularly performs daring challenges for charity.
Harry appearing on the show from his home in Montecito, California.
‘Good luck with that, I know you’re going to do it, I know you’re going to crush it. I know you are also going to raise a lot of money for Blesma. Other than that, mate, just a big congratulations. And thank you, thank you for his service. Thank you for your continued service and commitment to others.
I’m sure your entire family is incredibly proud of you. I’m proud of you. We’re all proud of you… there’s a reason you were chosen for this. So yeah, ride and enjoy your new wheels. And then make sure you get as fit as possible for this next big adventure coming up and then you can crush it.
‘And at the end of that. I’d love to meet you even if it’s over Zoom, but yeah, all due respect, buddy. Well done, love it and see you soon, cheers.’
The Duke, who recorded the clip last year at his home in the US, was a battlefield air traffic controller when he undertook a ten-week tour of duty in 2007 fighting the Taliban in Helmand province.
Mr. van Niekerk had purchased a used Jeep Grand Cherokee (pictured), which had the potential to be a competitor, but was taken off the road due to persistent mechanical problems.
Harry expressed his admiration for Stephan’s stamina and determination and praised the Car SOS team for their repair work.
He then retrained and qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot and in September 2012 returned to Afghanistan for a second time.
The Jeep was restored by presenters Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend to competition level standards, modified for disabilities, and has a roll cage, high lift axle kit and wheel arch extensions, plus suspension upgrades.
Van Niekerk said that Harry’s message was “crazy” and that he couldn’t believe he was talking about him.
