AN ARMY veteran from Warwickshire is fighting for his life after being hit by a car at a Remembrance Sunday parade.
Ade Stowell volunteered as a marshal at the centenary event in Studley and was clearing away closed road barriers when the accident happened.
The former soldier of 35 years, received life changing head injuries in the crash which is still being investigated by police.
His wife Chrissy, who remains at his hospital bedside, said: “He is still in a coma and nearly breathing on his own. He is not really communicating – I feel he can hear my voice but that might be just wishful thinking on my part.
“The prognosis is not good, and he is unlikely to ever look after himself again – I know the doctors have to give the worst case scenario, but they were not terribly encouraging.”
The centenary commemoration was attended by around 1,000 villagers and Chrissy was waiting for her husband back at the village cenotaph when the accident happened.
The 54-year-old was rushed to hospital where he underwent a major operation.
Ade was a career soldier, rising through the ranks and finishing his time with Redditch’s 37th Signals Regiment.
He then continued his service by joining West Midlands Police as a civilian detention officer based in Coventry.
Chrissy said he enjoyed an active life, playing rugby in his younger days, cycling, climbing and walking their two dogs.
She also thanked the community for its response to the devastating accident.
She said: “People have been amazing and I’d just like to say thank to everyone for being so supportive. We used to live in Birmingham and I cannot imagine ever having the same support there as we’ve had here.”
A Just Giving page has been set up by army friend Adrian Proffitt to support the couple through the difficult time.
So far over half of the £10,000 target has been raised.
Adrian said: “It’s to provide a cushion while they get themselves sorted.
“At this stage everything is irrelevant as we have to come together to support Ade and hope against hope that he can beat this.
“Ade is so well respected – he has worked all over the army and then something like this happens.
“He has been an inspirational leader and trainer of hundreds of soldiers and in a strange way it seems this tragic accident could have only occurred whilst Ade was assisting at his local remembrance parade and putting something back into the community and ultimately the country that he has been proud to serve for so long, this really defines the man that he is.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ady-proffitt to donate.
