DEBBIE Mulkern of New Forest Aromatics and John Geden of Hayling Island’s Sinah Common Honey are the duo behind a 100 per cent natural skin balm which is helping amputee servicemen while raising money for Help For Heroes.

The Hampshire pair teamed up and launched WiSP Care Products at the New Forest Show last year following a chance introduction.

They have since sold around 2000 tins of their much-loved product and have plans for expansion.

The story began when John, an Army and Police veteran turned beekeeper, met injured servicemen at the Help For Heroes recovery centre near Salisbury. He realised that the answer to their discomfort from wearing prosthetic limbs lay within his beehives where propolis, described as one of nature's most effective defence systems, is produced.

John suffered a serious injury in the Army which will see him undergo an amputation himself later this year.

He then sought help for post-traumatic stress disorder after 22 years in the police which culminated in him travelling the world tracking down British paedophiles and bringing them to justice.

John said: "I always say the military broke me physically and the police broke me mentally.

"I owe a lot to bees. I’ve been through some low times and the best thing is putting on my beekeeping suit and sticking my head into a beehive.

"I reached out for help to combat stress from Help For Heroes and in 2015 met some of the guys coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with amputations. At that time I didn't know my own leg had deteriorated so much. I gave them some propolis and it really seemed to help. The guys loved it and couldn't get enough of it. The idea stuck with me but I couldn't produce it myself.

Debbie and I met through a business mentor and it was a match made in heaven."

WiSP products, named after a military abbreviation to describe wounded, injured and sick personnel, use ingredients from John’s beehives to create a balm that soothes and helps to heal damaged skin. It's useful for runners, walkers, gardeners, climbers and anyone else.

At least £1 per pot or nearly half of profits is donated to Help For Heroes and there are plans to help other charities with new lines.

Talks with Tesco are taking place, but for now it's available on Amazon, the Help For Heroes website and via New Forest stockists.