Soldiers who suffered horrific injuries in Afghanistan have organised a community day in Paddock Wood.

Matthew O’Rourke and Adam Francis, who served together in the 3rd Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, have organised the event on Saturday, August 10 at the Maidstone Road Memorial Recreation Ground.

They are joined by Jason Whybrow, of Paddock Wood, a badge sniper with the Coldstream Guards.

All proceeds will go to the Autonomic Charitable Trust, a charity for sufferers of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) – and Help for Heroes.

Pte O’Rourke suffered a back injury after his foot patrol in Helmand Province came under heavy fire in September 2011. The 29-year-old, who lives in The Chase, Tonbridge, said: “I like to give to charity more than I do receive it. Help for Heroes supported me a lot when I was injured, I can’t thank them enough.

“They don’t just help you, they help your family, right down to the basics.”

His friend Pte Francis from East Malling lost both legs beneath the knee and ruptured his kidney and spleen after being blown up by an improvised explosive device.

The 36-year-old, of Blatchford Close Gardens, said: “It’s a good cause, when Matt told me he was doing this event I couldn’t say no.”

Guardsman Whybrow suffered severe brain damage while serving in Camp Bastion and was left with the mental capacity of an 18-month-old. But he has since recovered – and even climbed to Base Camp Three on Mount Everest this year.

The event itself is also organised by Andrew Stanley, whose 25-year-old daughter Tara is a lifelong sufferer of POTS, a condition which causes an increased heart rate when a sufferer moves from a laying position to sitting.

On the day an anti aircraft gun will be set up in the field to help recreate the dramas of an air-raid and other entertainment will include a cross bar challenge, two raffles and a bouncy castle.

It will run from midday to 7pm and entry is free, although there is a suggested donation of £2.

For more information visit: www.pots-fightingforces.org.uk