AN ARMY veteran from Catterick Garrison will proudly serve his country in a major sports event for injured and sick servicemen and women.

Tom Hunter, who served in the Royal Artillery, is one of 40 veterans and service personnel who have been selected by Help for Heroes to represent the UK at the 2018 Warrior Games, and has also been chosen to be the team’s vice-captain and torch bearer during the opening ceremony.

Tom, 55, has suffered from PTSD since 2003 and, four years ago, was diagnosed with Dementia Pugulistica. He and his wife Lorna use Help for Heroes recovery centre, Phoenix House in Catterick Garrison, which offers support to them both.

The athletes will take part in the 2018 Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games from June 1 to 9 in Colorado Springs.

Around 265 service members and veterans representing teams from the Armed Forces in US, Canada, UK and Australia.

The UK Team, which is delivered by Help for Heroes, will take part in nine adaptive sports: athletics, archery, cycling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, shooting, swimming, powerlifting and wheelchair basketball.

Mr Hunter, who will be competing in 400m, 1500m and rowing, said as a former physical training instructor, being able to participate in sport again means everything to him.

He said: “The training I’m doing gives me a reason to get up in the morning and I feel I have a place in society once more.

"And to be part of a team of military, and like-minded, people again will be wonderful."

Until recently, Mr Hunter has not been mentally able to do much sport but, through the Phoenix House physical development team, has taken up golf and really enjoying it.

He said: “It has given me confidence that I didn’t have for a long time and also a reason to get up in the morning – I have started going for short runs in areas familiar to me too.”

Mrs Hunter will be accompanying him as his carer and will be taking photographs to add to the memory book that she has been compiling ever since his dementia diagnosis.

Martin Colclough, head of sports recovery at Help for Heroes said the charity recognised the importance of sport in an individual’s recovery.

He said: “Not only does it help physically, sport empowers veterans and provides huge psychological benefits too including improving self-confidence and self-esteem.

“The Warrior Games provides the opportunity for these men and women to proudly serve their country again and have a second chance at life,” he added.

“The Warrior Games team represents just 40 of our wounded heroes; there are thousands more out there that need our support, for life. We’d encourage anyone who wants to try something new as part of their recovery to get in touch with Help for Heroes, there’s something on offer for everyone.”

Anyone that is wounded, injured or sick military personnel or veteran and in need of support should visit Help for Heroes online.