On ITV’s This Morning, Wayne Ingram MBE shared his remarkable journey from soldier to humanitarian. In this deeply moving This Morning interview, Wayne spoke about saving a young boy’s life in Bosnia, his own battles with PTSD, his daughter’s scoliosis diagnosis, and why his bestselling book Soldier of Conscience is raising vital funds for children’s charities.
Meeting Stefan in Bosnia: A Life-Changing Promise
More than 20 years ago, during a British Army peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, Wayne Ingram met Milos Savic, whose four-year-old son Stefan had been born with a severe facial cleft. Without urgent surgery, Stefan’s condition would have been life-threatening.
Wayne recalled in his This Morning interview:
“They showed me a picture of Stefan and my heart was taken straight away. I knew I had to do something.”
That moment began a 13-year mission of fundraising that would raise £160,000 and change Stefan’s life forever.
£160,000 Raised and Five Life-Saving Operations
Through football matches, charity events, supermarket tin-rattling, and even walking 76 miles backwards, Wayne raised the funds needed for Stefan’s five major surgeries. Four of those took place at Great Ormond Street Hospital, with Professor David Dunaway CBE performing them free of charge.
Today, Stefan is thriving at 27 years old — working, playing music in a folk band, and living a full life thanks to Wayne’s promise.
PTSD and Mental Health Battles
Wayne also spoke on This Morning about his own struggles with PTSD, following years of service and later work as a paramedic. He described reaching breaking point in 2008 after a series of traumatic incidents.
“I knew I had problems, but I didn’t want to admit it… everything built up until the time bomb exploded.”
With EMDR therapy and family support, Wayne began to heal — and now openly shares his story to help others realise it’s okay not to be okay.
Broken Crayons Still Colour
One of Wayne’s strongest messages is his belief that:
“We’re all broken crayons — but even broken crayons can still colour.”
This philosophy has become central to his outreach, encouraging people to embrace their struggles as part of their strength.
Freya’s Story: Why Royalties Go to Scoliosis Research
Wayne’s daughter Freya was diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager, requiring a six-hour operation to fit titanium rods in her spine. That moment gave Wayne a new understanding of what Stefan’s parents had endured.
All royalties from Soldier of Conscience now go directly to @scoliosis_sr (Scoliosis Support & Research) and children’s charities.
Soldier of Conscience: A Bestselling Memoir
Wayne’s book Soldier of Conscience tells the full story — from fighting the IRA and serving in Bosnia, to saving Stefan and confronting his own PTSD. Published by Pen and Sword, it has become a No.1 bestseller, with every copy sold helping to fund life-changing causes.
📖 Soldier of Conscience is available now from Pen & Sword and Amazon.
Recognition and Service
Wayne’s dedication has been recognised worldwide. He received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2021, was made a Freeman of the City of London, and has been awarded international honours including a Serbian Humanitarian Award.
Final Thoughts
Wayne Ingram’s This Morning interview reminds us that one promise can transform countless lives. From Stefan’s surgeries to scoliosis research, from PTSD awareness to national recognition, Wayne’s journey is one of service, sacrifice, and conscience.
