AN INSPIRATIONAL war veteran has been shortlisted for a national award.

Mikey Connolly, of Greenfield, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 'Inspiration of the Year' award at the national Welsh Veterans Awards 2019.

He was put forward for the nomination by his former Sgt - Gareth Benson - and he said he was surprised to hear the news.

Mr Connolly added: "I was really surprised, I'm still taking it all in.

"It's a massive honour and such a shock. To me, it's going about my natural business with my wife and then on call with the ambulance service. It's just a part of my life so when I was told I was nominated, my first reaction was why?

"I was first told it would be for the community award which I could understand why and when they announced it, they didn't put me in the community category, they put me down for the inspiration award."

Mr Connolly served in Iraq in 2007-2008 and he said it was a terrifying experience.

Since he returned home, the veteran was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and said he had to overcome that himself.

Mr Conolly married his wife in 2015 and after helping her with her own difficulties, he decided to help other people going through similar battles.

He told the Leader: "It was an interesting experience, there were times when it was extremely frightening. We were under attack quit a lot.

"When I left, at first I was struggling myself for a long time and eventually I had to learn to deal with it myself.

"I was passed about quite a lot between the GP service and military service and I learnt to deal with it.

"I've helped my wife as well because she needed 24 hour care and I realised then that I also wanted to help other people."

Mr Conolly is now a community first responder for the Welsh Ambulance service, a carer for his wife, veterans advocate and a volunteer photographer for NEWCIS.

The awards ceremony will take place on June 26 in Swansea.

The veteran is also taking part in the weekly arts workshop in Shotton which aims to reduce isolation amongst local heroes.

At the end of the 12-week project, a community event will be held at the Old Chorus Hub, Rowleys Drive in June.