AN inspirational Lance Corporal who was blinded in Iraq has praised the efforts of a fellow ex-soldier as he launches a Help for Heroes fundraising pledge at his new shop in Birkenhead.

Craig Lundberg who was left blind after a rocket attack, has given his backing to fellow former soldier David Murray, who is about to open a third branch of Livnstyle, at Pyramids Shopping Centre.

David is urging customers to donate spare any spare change to the military charity, and he’ll be promoting the charity in the shop to raise awareness.

Craig and David served together in the King’s Regiment, and now his business is growing with branches already in Bootle and Runcorn, former squaddie David, 30 wants to give something back.

His is being backed by inspirational Walton soldier, Craig Lundberg, 30, who was left totally blind after being hit by an rocket propelled grenade while serving in Iraq with the King’s Regiment.

The third branch of Livnstyle is set to open on Friday at The Pyramids shopping centre in Birkenhead.

David served three years as a soldier with the King’s Regiment which has now become the Duke of Lancaster’s regiment.

And although he never served overseas, spending the majority of his service in Catterick, David says he wants to support those former colleagues that did serve in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said: “I want to give something back to be honest. I owe the army a great deal, I was taught discipline and learnt to get up early and be ready with a work ethic, things that have stood me in good stead.

“I never went to places like Iraq or Afghanistan but knew lads such as Craig that did and I’d love to be able to help them.

“That’s why I’m going to ensure we have Help for Heroes collection tins in the Livnstyle store and we think up plenty of fundraising ideas to help boost the charity.”

David, who has a little girl of four, Summer, with his partner, Natalie, who is pregnant and expecting a boy which they intend to call Jaxon, says he set up Livnstyle furniture stores after first working in retail once he’d left the army.

He said: “I served three years then came out and began working in retail.

“I saw a niche for the furniture I sell and after a lot of planning and research set up my first store. I enjoy selling furniture and helping people set up their homes.

“Birkenhead Pyramid Shopping Centre will be our third and I’m really excited.

“The shopping centre is ideal and always really busy. I’m so happy to be in Birkenhead and feel this could become our flagship shop.

“I’ve taken on two members of staff initially but that will rise as we get established, I’ve no doubt about that.”

Craig Lundberg, of Walton, lives with his partner Carla and backs David’s plan to raise money all the way.

He said: “It’s a brilliant idea and with Dave being ex-army and from the same regiment as me it shows how the army community sticks together. The more people can support Help for Heroes the better.

“I’ve had it tough I won’t deny that and I’m still learning to live as a blind man but feel I’m getting there.

“I’m coping OK and had a lot of help from Help for Heroes so know just how important the charity is.”

Craig says he was left totally blind after a rooftop battle with insurgents in Iraq in 2007.

He lost his sight after a rocket propelled grenade exploded after contact with his body armour.

He said: “I lost the sight in both eyes and the damage is such that it’s can’t be repaired. The main thing for me has been to try to overcome the difficulties and I’ve tackled quite a few challenges.

“I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, learnt to ski, cycled across France and played football for the blind England side; I’m a Red so know about football!

“I was also honoured to carry the Olympic torch into Liverpool too. It’s about challenging yourself and I’ve always been dead sporty anyway.

“Skiing was hard, I did that with the charity Skiing for Heroes. The trouble is being from Liverpool there aren’t many of my mates who ever wanted to go skiing so it was something I’d never done before.”

He added: “What Dave’s doing is brilliant and I wish there were more people like him. It’s been great catching up and speaking to him again, it’s been a long time.

“I’m sure the Birkenhead Livnstyle shop will be a huge success and if it raises a good amount of money for Help for Heroes that has to be a good thing.”

The fundraising pledge was also backed by Allan Beaumont, Operations Manager at Pyramids shopping centre, who previously served for 24 years in the army’s Royal Logistics Corps including serving during the Falklands conflict.

Allan said: “Craig is an inspiration, and it’s wonderful to see one of our new stores raising funds and awareness for Help for Heroes, as it really is a great charity.”

Derek Millar, Commercial Director at Pyramids shopping centre said: “What a great way to give something back.

“We are pleased to have a new independent businesses opening here, and it’s testament to David’s community spirit that Livnstyle will be giving back, right from day one. I hope our customers will support him.”

The store will open on August 15.