ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

Off By Ed Hanna

Lee was 24 when a back injury ended his Army career. With a little help from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, he now runs a successful commercial cleaning business that operates across North Yorkshire.

Lee Harris-Hamer joined the Royal Artillery at 17. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and again in 2012, serving a total of eight years and rising to the rank of Lance Bombardier.

Then, aged 24, a back injury ended his Army career. For a fit young Soldier, the news was devastating. With a wife and young child at home, Lee decided to use the skills he’d developed in the Army to start his own carpet cleaning business. ABF The Soldiers’ Charity supported Lee with a grant towards his new venture, helping him to attend training courses and to purchase specialist cleaning equipment.

Several years on, Lee’s business is thriving. White Horse Cleaning Services now offers a full suite of cleaning services for commercial buildings and factories across North Yorkshire. He employs 14 staff, and the business continues to grow. Lee sees his employees as part of the family, with the same brotherhood and sisterhood he remembers from his Army days.