My name is Lieutenant Iain McQueen and I serve with Bravo Company, 5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland. While on operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010 I was badly injured in a bomb blast and thus have experienced both the highs and lows of military service.

I would like explain briefly why service charities such as the Royal British Legion are so important and why, due to a change in the nature of the conflict in Afghanistan, they are now more relevant than at any other time in modern warfare.

During the Winter of 2008 there was a distinct in Taliban tactics. They realised that attempting to fight us man to man, face to face, would in fact not work due to our superior weapons, tactics and manpower. Instead, they shaped their doctrine around the use of explosives orwhat had become commonly known as the I.E.D., or Improvised Explosive Device. The most popular among enemy forces is a homemade variant of the land mine. A highly explosive charge which is buried in the ground, unseen to those patrolling above, which when stepped on explodes. The Taliban lay these in patterns, in an attempt not only to maim, or kill one soldier, but if possible his colleagues who attempt to evacuate him as well.

As a result, we have not only been left with a great many bereaved friends and relatives, but a casualty rate unparalleled since the days of Korea. A large number of service personnel from my generation are missing not only their legs, arms and fingers but their genitalia, eyes, ears and sanity as well. During August I attended the repatriation of one of my closest friends in the Army, Lt. Daniel Clack. He was killed by an I.E.D on Friday, August 12th 2011.The shrapnel from the device smashed both his legs and ripped through is throat. He died in the Helicopter on the way to Bastion Field Hospital.

Whilst graphic, I hope this demonstrates to you the level of destruction these devices regularly cause. For the families of the fallen and in injured, the quality of care and standard pf financial compensation has significantly improved in recent times. However, the Govenment still consistently falls short in its responsibility to its wounded veterans. Fortunately for us, where the Government fail the service, charities such as the British Legion, Help 4 Heroes, BLESMA and the Army Benevolent Fund do not. They provide not only financial assistance to families and troops who need it, but more importantly a comprehensive welfare and support network with the aim of giving these men and women the highest quality of life they possibly can. From experience I can tell you that the worst part of being injured is not the pain or the trauma but the boredom and frustration at not being able to take part in activities and past times that once formed such a large part of your life.

The service charities not only organise a vast number of activities for the injured troops, but also act as a point of contact and co-ordination for the thousands of well-wishers nationwide who want to donate days out, holidays, equipment and countless other gifts.

For somebody who has lost their legs, their arm, their genitalia or their sight, life will always be that bit worse than it was before. However, charities such as the Royal British Legion enable them to live the fullest possible lives which is the least they deserve when you consider how much they have given.

Finally I'd just like you to consider that a large majority of the men and women who make up our armed forces come from very modest backgrounds; they have very little and they ask for very little. However, on one single day on operations they sacrifice more for their country than anybody. I would like to thank you for your support on their behalf and wish Graham Napier the very best for his benefit season.