Invictus Games: Injured war veterans training in Newport - with pictures

More than a dozen archers, whose careers in the armed forces were cut short due to injury, have been based at Lilleshall National Sports Centre near Newport this week.

The training camp comes before they fly out to the games in Toronto – an international Paralympic-style multi-sport competition for ex-servicemen and women, created by Prince Harry and now in its third year.

The competition has gained in popularity with Prince Harry describing how the games have "shone a spotlight on the ‘unconquerable’ character of servicemen and women".

With 21 days to go until the opening ceremony, the archers are preparing to fly-out as part of a 90-strong UK team for the competition, which runs from September 23 to 30.

Among those taking part is former RAF officer Clare Langham-Philips, who has just been told she will be medically discharged from the air force around the beginning of next year.

The 50-year-old has served in Afghanistan over a career spanning three decades, but her time has been cut short after being diagnosed with chronic fatigue.

"I got into the games because my brother did the first two," she said. "I had just been diagnosed with chronic fatigue and my life just stopped.

"I've served 30 years and had always intended to serve until I was 55. But I knew straight away that my career was over and seeing the difference that Invictus had made to my brother. I thought I had to give it ago.

"I started archery at the end of last May so just over a year now. I'd gone from being a very successful officer to having nothing at work, my confidence had gone. I've come here, I've got that bow in my hand and I'm me again. The only time I feel strong is with that bow in my hand.

"Training has been fantastic. This is my sixth training camp at Lilleshall and we train for two days at a time. We started in January and did three pre-trial training sessions here.

"It'd be nice to come back with some medals. I'm quite confident about going because at the end of the day I've done everything I can. I've met friends here who I'll have for the rest of my life."

More athletes than ever before tried out for the 90 places available across 11 sports on the UK Invictus Games Team.

In total 306 wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans, entered the trials for the games.

Others competing for Britain's archery team are Ken Hargreaves, from Northumberland. He was wounded in 2003 and now uses a wheelchair.

The 56-year-old is raring to go for his first games – just 12 months after picking up a bow and arrow.

"It was last year when I decided to go for the Invictus Games," he said. "I had spent a lot of time at home for lots of reasons and although I didn't feel I was becoming a recluse, our lass did.

"I'm always happy in my own company but once I started to take up the archery it was the people around us who said 'you should go and have a go at the Invictus Games'. I was inspired and thought 'maybe I can'.

"My aim is to go there and try and do my best. We'll see how we do and if I can get to be good enough maybe I'll see if I can try out and move on from the Invictus. Because everyone on the team was in the forces we can instantly gel. There is plenty of banter, which is always good."

Meanwhile, Chris Macfadyen, 43, from Northern Ireland, is a former Marine and suffers from a spinal injury which leaves him with restricted movement.

Last year's Invictus Games saw him represent the archery team as captain, returning to home soil with gold and silver medals.

Due to his condition worsening, he has had to swap to a Paralympic compound bow – but is aiming to go as far as he can.

He said: "My spinal condition has deteriorated so much now that I'm waiting for a big operation so I've had to convert to using another bow.

"I'm getting to the standard with this bow where I want to be competing. At the minute for me it's just getting used to the new equipment.

"I've been taking part in archery since 2004. I accidentally did a beginners course when I was medically discharged.

"I was medically discharged and discovered one day when I was running that things were not feeling right.

"They did a scan and found I was degenerative all the way through most limbs and upper and lower body. I've had operations on my elbows, knees, shoulders, spine and I'm waiting for another big one on my spine.

"The games allow you take part in sport. For a long while I didn't have that military camaraderie when I left the forces. This allows us to go back into that team and bond – the band of brothers.

"These guys are equally struggling and you can bang off each other. It allows you to excel at this sport and gets you involved."