Updated on
A veteran from Paignton is heading for Newquay next weekend for his “local” event in the Help for Heroes Community Sports Series calendar and is hoping his experiences will encourage others to try adaptive sports.
David ‘Wolfie’ Sproston, 62, a former soldier, has been travelling the length and breadth of the country this year to participate in the sports series, which allow veterans to come together with other members of the Armed Forces community and participate in a variety of inclusive sports.
The latest leg of the series on 20-21 September is the fifth of six events this year. It’s the first to be centred on water-based activities and will take place at the Newquay Activity Centre. Veterans and their families will have the opportunity to take part in various activities including surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, and beach boccia.
David and his family have racked up the miles attending every sports series event this year so far, apart from one in Liverpool that was for female veterans. So, this time he’s looking forward to being a bit closer to home. He believes the events are a real boost to veterans like him and wants to encourage others to consider having a go.
I was one of the most nervous people you could see, but, after the first night, it was like I found a large family".
Army Veteran
He explained: ““I’m really looking forward to Newquay. I don’t know about the cold water though – that’ll be an experience and a half!
“When I first started going to the sports series events three years ago, I was one of the most nervous people you could see, but, after the first night, it was like I found a large family, because all the sports are so accessible. I’m in a wheelchair now, so all the wheelchair sports are fantastic. I’m also getting strength back in my arms and my core."
But it’s not only about the accessible sports – there are also friendships to be made, for both David and his family.
He added: “You chat with everybody; some people who have come for the first time, some people that have been there almost as long as I have. Well, it’s not just me, there’s me, my wife, and my son, Ben, because at least one of them attends with me. Ben is, basically, almost a veteran himself, now, because he’s been through so many group therapy sessions with me and other veterans. And, because he’s a family member, they all took to him quite well because they knew he’s lived with what I’m going through.
“He’s known a lot of the veterans for quite a few years now. He has an acquired brain injury and gets really excited for these events because he knows he’s going to see some friends, have a good chat, and a good laugh. They have a whale of the time. They really do. They all love him.”
It’s made a great difference to me and my family".
Army Veteran
Community Sports Coordinator, Gemma Kemble-Stephenson, explained: “It’s a multi-sports taster event like no other. It allows members of the Armed Forces community to connect with like-minded people, and to try some inclusive, accessible sports, while enjoying the community and camaraderie that becomes part of an unforgettable experience.”
This year the Community Sports Series events are being sponsored by Cotton Traders. The British clothing retailer is the UK’s leading military charity’s longest-standing partner raising almost £2 million since 2011.