Royal Navy veteran attacked in burglary at his Whitchurch home
A man assaulted by a burglar in his Whitchurch home is a former Royal Navy medic who has a chronic condition affecting his nerves.
An intruder broke into the home of Damian McDonald's house in Joyce Way, Whitchurch, and attempted to take some items before carrying out the attack.
Mr McDonald needed hospital treatment and was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.
The incident took place between 7.45am and 8.15am on December 6.
Terri-Anne Powell, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said: "The offender was described as a white man and 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in in height. He was thought to be wearing a padded coat, baseball hat with a hood over and a reflective logo on the peak of the cap."
Mr McDonald, who was born in Northern Ireland, served in the Royal Navy for 17 years, completing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.
He has now been diagnosed with Arachnoiditis, a chronic condition affecting the Arachnoid Membrane, which surrounds the nerves within the spine, causing loss of sensation, fatigue and severe pain.
It means he cannot bend to put on his socks or tie his shoe laces and is lucky if he can walk 20 metres without his pain increasing. He relies on his family and friends to help him.
Mr McDonald found help through Help for Heroes after he joined the Band of Brothers network, which provides life-long support to those with a career limiting/ending injury or illness attributable to service.
Help for Heroes recently provided funding for Mr McDonald to purchase a laptop, which he says was damaged in the attack.
Bryn Parry, CEO and co-founder of Help for Heroes, said: "Help for Heroes was shocked to hear of the terrible break-in Damian experienced.
"We are already in discussions about further grant funding to ensure he has use of his laptop and is able to continue to progress with his course.
"We have also linked him in with our wider support team to ensure he has appropriate follow up support for such a terrifying incident.
"Help for Heroes is fully committed to supporting Damian, his family, and all those who have been injured in the line of duty, for life."
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident reference number 172s of December 6. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
