Simon Weston, 48, joined the Welsh Guards at the age of 16 and served in Berlin, Northern Ireland and Kenya before being deployed to the Falkland Islands.

In June 1982, he was on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Galahad when enemy fighters bombed the ship. Forty-eight men were killed and Weston was the worst injured to come back alive.

He underwent more than 70 reconstructive operations. Since then, he has become the patron of charities supporting people with disfigurements and is the lead ambassador of the Healing Foundation for research into healing and burns. In 1992, he was awarded an OBE.

Weston is in demand as an inspirational speaker. He has just published a children’s book, Nelson to the Rescue, co-written with David Fitzgerald.

He lives in Cardiff with his wife Lucy and their three children.

Did you think you would get to where you are?

Absolutely not. Who in their right mind could imagine that their life would take the course that mine has taken?

No matter what you study at university, it does not necessarily prepare you for the future life that you will have. Not very many of us are lucky enough to start off with a plan that we achieve by the end of our working life.

When you realised that you had raised your first million, were you tempted to slow down?

The first cause that I got involved with was the Royal Star and Garter Home in Richmond, Surrey. Not a huge amount of fund-raising had been done in the late 1980s. It had been using its capital to survive.

To cover its overheads, it needed £3.5m a year. Today it’s more than £5.5m. We managed to raise more than £10m in the first year and slightly less in the second, 1990.

How could I have possibly slowed down? I never had any desire to!

What is the secret of your success?

I don’t pretend to be something I am not and I would like to think I’m very professional. People like what I do and word of mouth is the greatest recommendation you can have.

You must believe in what you do. I have become a bit of a campaigner in support of troops and veterans regarding inadequate equipment, healthcare, aftercare and mental healthcare. It is something I have found myself doing because I cannot sit back and let things slide by. I genuinely care about our armed forces and their families. They have needed people to shout from the highest rooftops to help them get what they rightfully deserve. They choose a career. They don’t choose a conflict.

Do you want to carry on
until you no longer can?

Yes, I don’t want to stop work. I don’t overly enjoy holidays. Just sitting around in someone else’s country seems pointless. I find it relaxing to do something worthwhile with my day.

If you’re just using your mind and not physically wearing yourself out, you can work into old age. Look at Alan Greenspan. Perhaps the secret of longevity is not to retire.

Have you had time for personal financial planning?

I have a financial adviser but I pay off my bills as quickly as I can. Apart from a tiny mortgage, I don’t have any debts. My wife makes most of the financial decisions as I am not money minded.

I reckon you are as well to save your money at 3 per cent or 4 per cent as you are to pay somebody to look after your money elsewhere.

There are few products out there that merit moving your money.

What was your most prudent investment?

Our five-bedroom detached house, which is very comfortable but I have done a great deal of work on it.

Have you made any pension provision?

I do have a pension but I have stopped paying into it. The money can be better spent in other ways.

I get a war pension and an army pension but, with three kids, I could not live properly on just £10,000 a year – worth in reality £13,000 because it’s not taxable.

What is your commitment to charity?

Charity work is part of my life every day. The biggest problem I have is managing the requests that come in. It is difficult and time-
consuming. You still have to say “no” whether you like it or not. But whom do you say “no” to?

I am patron of the Face Trust, helping to raise funds for facial transplants. As yet, a full facial transplant has not taken place. People in this country have tried to block it, which is a huge sadness for me, but something I have got to live with.

We are just launching a new charity/insurance venture, forcesdeal.com, designed exclusively for forces and ex-forces people. Anyone can buy a policy, but what we are offering will not cost anyone more than they already pay. We will give most of the commission – 70 per cent of
our profits – to service charities.

Did you allow yourself the odd indulgence?

Yes, the hot tub in my back garden, installed by a friend who has a spa company. It is something that is really nice to have, particularly for aches and strains and back pain. I use it two or three times a week. All of us love it.

Have you taken steps to pass on your wealth?

No, I have not made a will. There is not enough money to worry about and only a few things that I value to leave to anyone. I am not somebody who puts great store in possessions.

What is the most you have ever paid for a bottle of fine wine or champagne?

I paid about £150 for a bottle of Cristal champagne for my son’s 18th birthday in July. He decided not to open it but wait until he graduates.

What is your money-saving tip in the recession?

Instead of buying my wife a luxury item, such as a handbag, I buy her flowers, and we go out for lunch instead of dinner.