David Timmins: Step-daughter to walk 26 miles in war hero's honour

Thirteen-year-old Summer Rose Dickson is training to cycle and walk this year’s Kiltwalk in honour of Lance Corporal David Timmins, who she called Step-Dave. 

David, from Neilston, sadly died at the beginning of this year - 12 years after he suffered from an explosion in Afghanistan and just months before he was due to become a dad again. 

READ MORE: Lance Corporal David Timmins: Tributes to hero soldier from Neilston after he dies aged just 39

His partner, Liane Brophy, said she “couldn’t be prouder” of Summer as the teen is preparing to coin in cash for a cause close to her heart.

Liane, who is due to birth their baby boy in August, said: “I’m so proud of her, I just couldn’t be prouder. 

“David done the Kiltwalk every year and he was meant to be doing it this year, too.

“It was such a big deal to him and the charities that he raised money for. The charity are so happy Summer is doing this for her Step-Dave.

“He missed his 40th birthday in January, my 41st birthday in February, Valentine’s Day and he will also miss his other son’s 13th birthday.

“The Kiltwalk was going to be another event that David would miss but knowing Summer is doing this walk for him, I know he’ll be walking every step with her.” 

READ MORE: David Timmins: Poignant tributes paid to ‘real-life superhero’

The Smithycroft Secondary School pupil will don a full kilt while raising cash for Pal’s Batallion CIC - a charity launched by a fellow veteran of David who was inspired to give something back. 

The charity hosts sports events to improve the health and wellbeing of veteran communities in Scotland. 

Liane said: “Summer has been training every day and has really been pushing herself. I think she will do a mixture of walking and cycling to complete it. She is really motivated. 

“David would be over the moon, it’s something that I know he would have been so happy about. He was so into his fitness and always very active, so the event was big to him.”

On top of training and juggling school commitments, Summer has also been helping her mum prepare for the birth of her little brother.

“Summer is very determined but I think that is something that has come about only in the past few  months”, said Liane.  

“With me being pregnant, she has had to help me on a few occasions, too. She has been so strong and has really picked herself back up. She didn’t just lose her  step-dad, she lost her best friend, too. 

“David had the attitude that he didn’t just ever sit down and I think he has passed that attitude onto her. 

“I don’t think anyone in life sets you up for something like this but I have Summer to help me stay positive and get up for every day. I think she is so determined to let her baby brother know who his dad was. 

“The situation that she has been thrown into has been a very adult situation but the way she has handled it has been very inspiring.”

David lost an eye and suffered horrific internal injuries as a result of an explosion in Afghanistan while he was taking part in Operation Panther’s Claw in July 2009.

He was later awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for saving a badly-injured comrade just days earlier and for his work defusing Taliban mines.

The highly-respected Lance Corporal was a member of the Royal Logistic Corps’ Explosive Device Disposal Team 5 – celebrated as ‘The Famous Five’ for their impressive record of dismantling deadly devices.

The news of the arrival of their baby boy came as a surprise to the couple, who were both told that they could no longer have children. 

Liane added: “I was just over the moon to find out we were going to have a baby. It’s something that David and I told wouldn’t be able to happen. He was just completely over the moon.

“Summer can’t wait to meet him.”

To donate to Summer’s online fundraiser, visit HERE.