Paul Harding

Veteran Paul Harding joined the Army in 1976 and served for 12 years, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He is looking to compete in a mammoth six events at the 2017 Invictus Games: wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming and golf. Paul, who suffers psychologically as a result of his service, said: “Sport has given me a reason to engage with people again. I have spent so long isolated from everybody, but I am looking forward to Invictus and being around like-minded people again.” Paul has now joined the Cardiff Met Archers wheelchair basketball team, and is training hard with the Help for Heroes sports recovery team in south Wales, where he lives.  “Sport has also given me the opportunity to tell other veterans the benefits of engaging in sport. Help for Heroes is giving me excellent support, and I would like to be able to compete in more competitions to show being injured in service is not the end of your life.”