MILITARY veteran Darren Carew gave a captivating half-an-hour talk and led a rugby coaching session for pupils at Monmouth School Boys’ Prep last Friday.

Mr Carew is now a qualified coach with the Welsh Rugby Union and was invited to Monmouth by the school’s head boy, Toby Crewe-Read, aged 10.

The afternoon included a raffle of memorabilia, including a Welsh rugby shirt signed by George North and books written by former Glamorgan and England cricketer Steve James, to raise money for Toby’s chosen charity – ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

While in the army, Mr Carew served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq. However, his life changed when his armoured vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while travelling in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

He suffered a mild traumatic brain injury and damage to his foot and ankle that would lead to an amputation four years later.

Toby, from Usk, said: "Darren talked to the boys about his experiences in the army.

“The whole school loves rugby and I thought Darren gave an inspiring talk and really caught the boys' imagination."

He thanked his parents, Mr Carew and the school for organising the event.