A FORMER Royal Marine and firefighter trapped on the ground floor of his home following an amputation, has thanked supporters for transforming his life.

After Dennis Ward’s plight appeared in the Telegraph & Argus, a local stairlift company came to his rescue and a social media appeal by a firefighter has got him a new bath lift.

Mr Ward, 72 from Harbour Road, Wibsey, and his wife Val have also had Bradford Council round to measure up for a new side extension to fit a wet room.

The couple have been getting help from The Veterans Association to make their home more suitable for Mr Ward’s needs.

The Royal Marines charity has also been in touch about giving assistance.

Until help came Mr Ward, who is a decorated serviceman and had his leg amputated due to diabetes, had been relying on strip washes and using a commode in his living room, where he also had to sleep, while waiting for the Council’s Social Services to assess his needs.

The stairlift fitted for free by Acorn Stairlifts means he could sleep in his own bedroom for the first time in seven months and Mrs Ward has got her downstairs living room back.

Mr Ward, who served in the Royal Marines for ten years before becoming a Bradford firefighter, had been fed up about being stuck downstairs after thinking he would just have to get on with it.

Tony Hayes from the Veterans Association said he was “over the moon” at the help that had come in and said Bradford Council had now promised a sizeable grant to adapt the couple’s home to put in a wet room.

“It’s good news the Council has been round to measure up. It’s all going in the right direction for Dennis and Val now. We’re over the moon but sadly their’s is not an isolated case. We’re dealing with similar stories from veterans all over the country.”

The Ward’s also got the support of their Bradford South MP Judith Cummins who said it was completely unacceptable Mr Ward had found himself in that position and she had pressed the Council for answers and action so he could start to get the care and assistance he needed.

Speaking this week, Mrs Ward said: “It’s all a bit chaotic here but I’ve got my living room back and Dennis has got his life back. He can go upstairs when he wants, he’s got some independence again. We’re very pleased and very grateful to everyone who has helped and is helping us. The council has also put a ramp at the back door so Dennis can get in and out in his chair and they have been round to measure up to see about a wet room downstairs.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council was unable to confirm its social services had visited the Ward’s home to measure up.