THE father of a soldier from Salisbury who cheated death in Afghanistan last year has raised more than £7,000 for Help for Heroes.

Martin Docking started raising money for the charity in August after his 18-year-old son Sam, serving with 1 Rifles in Helmand Province last year, stepped on an improvised explosive device that failed to go off while he was on foot patrol.

He planned a charity clay pigeon shoot at the Piggery and grew a beard in preparation for a charity shave in September. Mr Docking said: “The response from clubs, pubs, shops and individuals has been truly fantastic.”