THE family of an Essex army officer killed in Afghanistan are helping motivate injured soldiers as they work back to full fitness.

East Anglian Daily Times: The family of an Essex Army officer killed in Afghanistan have donated a £5,000 sound system to help motivate injured soldiers as they work back to full fitness. The Aaron Lewis Trust was set up in memory of Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, from Rochford, who was killed while serving with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery in December 2008. Today the charity presented stereo equipment to Colchester Garrison's Regional Rehabilitation Unit (RRU). Aaron Lewis's parents, left to right, Barry and Helen Lewis.The family of an Essex Army officer killed in Afghanistan have donated a £5,000 sound system to help motivate injured soldiers as they work back to full fitness. The Aaron Lewis Trust was set up in memory of Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, from Rochford, who was killed while serving with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery in December 2008. Today the charity presented stereo equipment to Colchester Garrison's Regional Rehabilitation Unit (RRU). Aaron Lewis's parents, left to right, Barry and Helen Lewis. (Image: Archant)

The Aaron Lewis Trust was set up in memory of Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, 26, who was killed while serving with Plymouth-based 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery in December 2008.

His parents Helen and Barry Lewis, from Rochford, presented a £5,000 sound system to Colchester Garrison’s Regional Rehabilitation Unit (RRU).

The unit provides physiotherapy and rehabilitation training for military personnel who have suffered injuries from sports, training or on operations.

Mr Lewis said: “Aaron used to be a personal trainer before he joined the Army and even managed to get some spinning bikes out to Afghanistan for his soldiers to train on.

“Aaron’s family and friends continue to raise money in his memory and we were looking for a local cause to support that combined the military and Aaron’s interests.

“The RRU seemed a perfect fit and Aaron would be proud to know that, through this donation in his memory he was helping fellow soldiers recover from injuries.”

Mr and Mrs Lewis turned on the stereo on Monday with MP Mark Francois, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans.

Colchester RRU’s Officer Commanding Major Tim Clarke said: “I can’t thank the Lewis family enough for their kind donation. Music is a recognised way of motiv-ation for exercise classes.

“We had a stereo that was on its last legs before and it’s fantastic to have this new equipment.

“Our purpose is to get guys back to full fitness after injuries and this equipment will help motivate them to achieve that.”