Jimmy Jukes the Pearly King of Camberwell & Bermondsey, attended a friends family BBQ in the summer of 2008.

When he walked through the garden gate he couldn’t help but notice a young boy who was walking around the garden topless, sporting horrific scars all over his torso.

Jimmy got talking to the young man and found out his name was Matt and he was 20. After a while he finally asked him what had happened.

Well Jimmy’s first assumption was that this boy was probably a bit of a nuisance and had a fight that ended badly. So when he finally found out that this young boy had been to war and was injured in the line of duty he was astounded.

Matt was on duty in Basra when he was asked to drive a vehicle carrying supplies to an outpost. He proceeded to carry out this request when he encountered an I.E.D.

It ripped through the front of the armoured vehicle sending a huge piece of shrapnel through his shoulder, nearly severing it completely. A piece flew past his head ripping a chunk out of his nose, millimetres away from his eye, and more worrying than anything else, a large piece of shrapnel & hundreds of shards imbedded itself into the base of his spine, instantaneously paralysing him.

Matt was still trying to work out what had happened when gun shots started firing into the front of the vehicle, dazed and confused and loosing a lot of blood, Matt’s friends and fellow soldiers dragged him to the safety of the rear of the vehicle.

Matt’s Injuries were so bad he was immediately flown back to Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham.

Matt spent several months in the hospital learning to walk again and finally was released to attend physiotherapy sessions at Hedley Court. Close to home and around the few close friends he has Matt was feeling better.

Jimmy was so impressed with the story of Matt’s bravery and determination that he decided to hold a charity event to raise money for Help for Heroes.

A force of 30 Pearly Kings & Queens, Chelsea Pensioners, Serving Soldiers, Bagpipe players, a historical society dressed in period army costumes and over 100 collectors took to the streets of central London and marched through the city centre collecting £11.364.11 for this worthy cause.

Matt & Jimmy Became quite close and when Matt visited Jimmy at home in the beginning of 2010 he could tell there was something wrong.

It came to light that Matt was experiencing family problems and was now homeless, sleeping wherever he could get his head down.

Jimmy told him to go to the council and tell them that you are homeless; they will put you up somewhere.

Matt revisited Jimmy and told him that the council had point blank refused to help him as he was not seen as vulnerable. He was devastated. How can I fight for this country, nearly loose my arm and my ability to walk… and be told that they can’t help me?

Jimmy was Livid. Matt was right. How can someone fight for the government, nearly die in the process and be told that he is not a priority? It is an out and out farce.

That is when UK Homes 4 Heroes started as an idea and has grown into a mission for all of us.

Matt is just one of many out there that has gone through terrible adversity only to be shunned by society. With over 3000 members showing support on face book and a huge amount of visible support at events and fundraisers we are ready to take on whoever and whatever…To make sure that our Heroes have the homes they deserve.