DREAMS have turned into reality for a veteran turned archer as he has been selected to be part of the British Paralympic Team for archery in the Rio Games.

Mikey Hall, 40, from Richmond, was wounded in training with the 1st The Queen’s Dragoons Guards, and was left paralysed from the chest down and wheelchair-bound after breaking his back and neck in several places.

Hitting rock bottom, the former Lance Corporal suffered from depression and turned to alcohol to dull the pain – until he discovered Help for Heroes’ Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison.

Mr Hall, who had completed numerous tours of duty around the world, used sport to aid his rehabilitation, and through Phoenix House he got involved with several sports including cycling, swimming and ironman triathlons.

But once he picked up a bow, he knew archery was the sport for him – and his natural talent was such that Help for Heroes asked him to set up an archery programme at Phoenix House and funded his equipment.

He uses a compound bow, a shorter bow, ideal for target shooting and easier to use when in a wheelchair.

Mr Hall has gone from strength to strength, competing in international competitions and placing ninth in the world at the World Championships in Germany in August, winning the Dutch International as well as a team bronze and placing sixth and winning a team bronze in the Czech Republic.

He was also selected to spend 10 days in Sochi as part of the British Paralympic Association's Paralympic Inspiration Programme after being talent spotted at Phoenix House.

He will now represent his country once more as part of Archery GB when he flies to Brazil for the Games, from September 7 to 18.

He said: “I am incredibly proud to be selected, it is such an honour to be able to represent my country and to do so at the highest level in sport is just amazing.

“I have had an absolute rollercoaster last few years, with such highs and lows. There was a time when I didn’t know what I wanted to do next but sport and archery has really helped me, and I can’t wait now to get to Rio and experience my first Games.”

Penny Briscoe, Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB said, “I am very proud to be announcing that these 10 archers are selected to ParalympicsGB for Rio 2016. The competition within the para-archery squad is fierce and so I have every confidence that these athletes have had to work incredibly hard to get here today.

“I would like to pay tribute to all the work done at Archery GB by the support team and I look forward to seeing them in action in Rio this summer.”