Heather Mills McCartney is counselling victims of the July 7th terrorist attacks on London.

The former model has made a series of private hospital visits to five people who lost limbs as a result of the bombings. Although she is currently staying in the US, to help husband Paul McCartney prepare for his forthcoming tour, Heather is continuing to provide support over the phone.

"Heather wanted the visits to be as low-key as possible. She knows what it's like to lose a limb and has been determined to do everything she can to help," a friend told the Sunday Mirror.

"This is not Heather as Paul McCartney's wife - this is Heather as the woman who lost a leg."

Mills lost her left leg after being hit by a police motorbike in 1993, and also suffered from crushed ribs, a punctured lung and multiple fractures of the pelvis.

The source added, "She doesn't want to be seen as a new Queen of Hearts, following in the footsteps of Diana. But she does have a desire to help in any way she can."

Heather's spokeswoman confirmed, "She has been visiting victims in a private capacity. She has been counselling five different victims and their families, but doing it very much in a private capacity."