X Factor contestants praise 'inspirational' soldiers after spending the day at Headley Court

By Simon Cable



'Inspirational': Matt Cardle catches up with some fans as he meets injured servicemen at Headley Court


The X Factor finalists praised Britain’s ‘inspirational’ soldiers yesterday as they met injured servicemen at Headley Court.

The contestants, who have already recorded a single in aid of the Help For Heroes charity, were ordered by Cowell to pay a visit to troops at the rehabilitation centre in Surrey.

The group spent several hours chatting to troops.


'Amazing experience': One Direction catch up with one of the soldiers


And 27-year-old Matt Cardle, who is one of the favourites to win the ITV talent show, said: ‘It was an amazing experience, to see all these soldiers with horrific injuries and still be some of the happiest and most positive people I’ve ever met in my life.

‘It was a real eye opener to see how they’re dealing with it. Their spirit is quite something, so positive and a massive inspiration.

Katie Waissel, 24, added: ‘It was amazing, so, so wonderful, I didn’t want to leave. It just puts everything into perspective.

‘They’re true heroes, they’ve been through so much. What’s amazing is that not many of them spoke about what happened to them, because they’re just normal blokes whose courage and strength is so admirable.’


'True heroes': Katie Waissel found the day trip an incredibly humbling experience


Fundraisers: Proceeds from The X Factor contestants' single Heroes will go towards the building of Personnel Recovery Centres for wounded soldiers


The show’s contestants recently recorded a cover version of David Bowie’s classic 1977 song, Heroes.

Money raised from record sales will go towards the £40million needed to build five regional Personnel Recovery Centres for wounded soldiers.

It came after Help For Heroes staff visited the X Factor set in 2008 to educate the contestants about the work of the charity, which helps British service personnel wounded in conflicts around the world.


Say cheese! The contestants pose with the soldiers at Headley Court


Axed contestant Aiden Grimshaw, 18, has a school friend who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Before his departure from the show last Sunday, he said: ‘It makes you think. It’s easy when you’re on TV for people to look up to you - but people are putting their lives on the line for us.’

The single is available in shops next Monday and for download on Sunday.



source:dailymail