AN ARMY veteran from the Lake District has been confirmed as a Batonbearer in the Queen’s Baton Relay this summer.
Lyndon Chatting-Walters, from Staveley, is one of the north west representatives who will be carrying the baton around the country before it arrives at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
In 2008, at the age of 18, Lyndon was serving in Afghanistan and came into contact with an IED, resulting in extensive injuries to his back, breaking four vertebrae.
Lyndon was told that he’d struggle to walk again. Despite this, Lyndon returned to the frontline attached to The Royal Gurkha Rifles in 2010.
Upon completing a rehabilitation course at the Royal British Legion's Battle Back Centre, Lyndon was introduced to climbing. This caught Lyndon’s interest and inspired him to use this newfound drive for good. This passion for climbing is what he believes saved his life.
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In 2012, Lyndon was part of an award-winning stage play documenting the realities of life after war which went onto tour and feature at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Lyndon is now working as a climbing instructor in the Lake District, holding the Mountaineering Instructor Award and coaches with Leeds Beckett Universities Carnegie Great Outdoors team.
As well as local climbing activity near his home, Lyndon has also reached the summits of Cotopaxi in Ecuador and the Mera Peak in the Himalayas, whilst guiding wounded and sick veterans. A special moment was on the Himalayan expedition, when Lyndon and his team reached the summit on Remembrance Sunday, after taking on a three-week trek.
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Despite living with daily back pain following his accident in Afghanistan, Lyndon uses his experience to offer life coaching to soldiers with PTSD.
Lyndon has been chosen as a Batonbearer for the North West as a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best.
The Queen's Baton Relay will be passing through the North West between Saturday, July 16 – Sunday, July 17.
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