FIVE wounded veterans who receive rehabilitation support at a Help for Heroes-run centre in Catterick Garrison have been selected to be part of a British Armed Forces team in a Paralympic-style event.

The Warrior Games, held this year in Virginia, USA, is the event that inspired Prince Harry to launch last year’s Invictus Games for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans, and is a partnership between the US military and Paralympic committee.

Five regular users of Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison will make up part of the 40-strong team at the games from June 19 to 28.

Martin Colclough, head of sports recovery at Help for Heroes said sport played an important part in an individual’s recovery.

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

“The Warrior Games also provides the opportunity to be part of a team again which veterans miss after suffering a life-changing injury or illness.

“However, the Warrior Games team represents just 40 of our wounded heroes and 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 - there’s something on offer for everyone.”

The 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games will feature eight sporting events with approximately 200 athletes representing teams from the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Special Operations Command and the combined armed services of the British Armed Forces.

David Hubber, from Ripon, is one of the five from Phoenix House taking part and will compete in recurve archery and pistol shooting.

Mr Hubber was injured in 2001 while playing ice hockey as part of the Royal Logistic Corps, and found his strong upper body made archery his ideal sport, and he won two gold medals at last year’s Invictus Games.

He said: “The Invictus Games was my first sporting opportunity, since the onset of injury, to be involved with like-minded people and also be involved in an environment where I was competing against peers with disabilities. That was a stepping-stone in my journey through injury and recovery but I've a long way to go.”

Gaz Golightly, another Royal Logistic Corps veteran, will be competing in hand cycling, shot put, track and wheelchair basketball events.

He said: “Competing at the Warrior Games has helped me to realise that being injured will not stop me. It’s a chance for all injured serving and ex-serving to come together as a team and be shoulder to shoulder again when, at times each and every one of us, would never have believed this were possible again.”