A British soldier who lost both his legs serving in Afghanistan was the guest of honour at a charity golf day organised by the Rotary Club of Elstree & Borehamwood.

Fijian-born Derek Derenalagi, 35, from Bushey, spoke to a captivated audience at South Herts Golf Club, in Totteridge, on Friday evening.

He told guests about the fateful day his Land Rover hit an anti-tank mine in Helmand Province in 2007.

Private Derenalagi was thrown 30 yards from the vehicle and as he looked down, he saw his right leg was missing and his left leg badly burned.

However, Pte Derenalagi, of the Mercian Regiment, said: “I would go back tomorrow. I am very proud to serve my Queen and country.”

The soldier, who is now training hard to represent Great Britain in the London Paralympics, was at the event to represent the Help for Heroes charity, which supports wounded serviceman and women.

After a day of golf and an auction, Rotarians and guests managed to raise £13,000 for the charity.

Television presenter Ingrid Tarrant was invented to be guest auctioneer and wielded the hammer on donated items such as a golf day with former Arsenal stars George Graham and Frank McClintock, and an original cartoon of the royal wedding by Daily Express political cartoonist Paul Thomas, son of club member Fred Thomas.

Organiser of the event, Rotarian Barbara Kennedy, said: “It is wonderful  how many people have contributed to this very special day. Having Derek with us and listening to his very moving speech, brought home graphically the horrors of the war in Afghanistan.”

The club’s president, John Page, said: “I was so proud to meet Derek. He is an amazing bloke and an inspiration to us all. He is so determined to get on with life in spite of the loss of his legs.”