A FORMER soldier who was left paralysed from the waist down after an assault course accident has picked up gold and bronze medals at an international archery event.

Mikey Hall, 39, from Richmond, broke his spine in numerous places after falling from an assault course while serving as a Lance Corporal from the 1st Queens Dragoon Guards in 2000, and he attends Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison for rehabilitation.

Mr Hall has made a start to his international archery career as part of the Open Compound Team, which is made up of players who have disabilities in their lower bodies but have normal function in their arms.

The Para world-ranking archery tournament in Almere, Holland, saw Mr Hall take a team bronze medal with teammates John Stubbs and Nathan MacQueen, and in an individual round Mr Hall won gold with a two-point win over his competitors.

Sport has played a vital role in Mr Hall’s recovery, particularly archery, for which he was already a qualified coach.

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

Martin Colclough, head of Help for Heroes sports recovery said: “We’re extremely proud of Mikey and his result at his first international archery tournament.

“To win medals at your first major competition representing GB is a fantastic achievement, and shows just how far he has come.

“Mikey is just one example of what wounded, injured and sick service men and women can do post injury, by using the power of adaptive sport throughout their recovery.”

Last year, he was selected to spend ten days in Sochi as part of the British Paralympic Association’s Paralympic Inspiration Programme, supported by Help for Heroes.

Mr Hall was talent spotted for archery and pistol shooting after taking part in a skills test event at Help for Heroes-run Phoenix House last year.

He took part in last year’s inaugural Invictus Games in London, where he picked up anther gold and bronze.

He said: “The whole experience has been amazing, just fantastic. I have been really emotional, especially picking up the medals in archery, both individually and with the team.”

Prior to discovering his love of archery, Mikey cycled from Edinburgh to London in May 2013, completing the 445 miles on a handbike.

He has also learned how to swim using just his upper body and has competed in three half Ironman competitions.

Anyone that is wounded, injured or sick military personnel or veterans in the area who are in need of support from the Help for Heroes’ Phoenix House recovery centre can call 01748-834148.