A WAR hero who was blinded by an explosion while protecting a fallen comrade has completed a 62 mile walk from London to Brighton.

Paul Jacobs, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was severely injured and left in a month-long coma while serving in Afghanistan.

The 25-year-old, of Rottingdean, completed the Blind Veterans UK charity trek on June 21.

It is the latest in a line of fundraising challenges which has seen Rifleman Jacobs, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, raise £1 million for charity and awarded a Pride of Britain Award.

He said: “I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, completed the Three Peaks challenge, countless marathons, half marathons, triathlons and long runs, tackled a 13,000ft parachute jump, skydived and even become the first ever blind veteran to take part in an enactment of the Heroes of Telemark expedition, which saw me trek 100km across Norway.

“I am doing it with many thanks to the staff at the Blind Veterans UK centre down in Brighton for the training that they have given me during the four and a half years since losing my sight.

“They are a true credit to the charity.”

The father-of-one was injured while on patrol with his unit in Afghanistan in 2009.

Under heavy Taliban fire, he threw himself over an injured comrade to protect him.

An improvised explosive device went off, blinding him and severely injuring the right side of his body and right leg, leaving him in a month-long coma.

Following his recovery he was awarded the George Medal for the act of bravery.

In the years since his injury, Mr Jacobs has received training and gained computer skills to enable him to live independently despite his sight loss.

He said: “Doing this event for Blind Veterans UK is to thank the charity for its support.”

The annual walk, which was held over the weekend, ended yesterday at the charity centre’s base in Ovingdean.

To donate to Mr Jacobs visit justgiving.com/Blind-Veterans-UK