An injured veteran who spent two years isolated in his freezing and dilapidated bedroom has thanked Help for Heroes for life-changing support that helped him start a new chapter.

For two long, bitter winters, Paul lived in his unfinished, cold, damp bedroom, after a horrific hand injury put a halt to his house renovations.

There were no doors, no heating, and no running water. He lived among bare plaster and boxes, bundled in blankets with only his loyal dog, Bonny, for company.

Outside, Christmases were celebrated. Families gathered. Laughter rang out.

Inside, Paul was utterly alone.

“I felt like I didn’t exist,” he says. “That first Christmas, I spent in a freezing room while everyone else was enjoying themselves. I didn’t want to live anymore.”

At his lowest point, Paul picked up

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