Vigilance can report that a team of British Servicemen and women will today fly out to the United States to take part as special guests in the Warrior Games, supported and funded by the UK charity Help for Heroes (H4H).
The Warrior Games, an annual event hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), kicks off next week. It will see wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans compete in seven Paralympic sporting events from April 30 – May 5.
Vigilance learnt that more than 200 people will take part in the 2012 Warrior Games and our UK squad of 21 will compete in five sports - archery, cycling, swimming, track & field and sitting volleyball.
A source at the MoD disclosed that following the games, Prince Harry will attend a reception on May 7 at the British Ambassador’s residence in Washington to meet members of the British and American Warrior Games teams.
According to our source athletes from across the Armed Forces, as well as staff from Personnel Recovery Centres and Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court are among those flying out to the United States. The wounded personnel who will be taking part in the games include Private Pa Njie, Private Thomas Lawlor, Captain Simon Maxwell, Sergeant Colin Hamilton, Captain David Henson, Corporal Karl Hubberstey, Trooper Corie Mapp, Guardsman Apisalome Matiyavi, Miss Samantha Bowen, Lance Corporal Maurillia Simpson, Private Declan Hill, Corporal Claire Edwards and Private Scott Meenagh.
Mr Bryn Parry, CEO & co-founder, Help for Heroes said: “We are delighted that Help for Heroes will support a UK team into such a high profile U.S. event. We know how important sport is in recovery and are delighted to have supported Battle Back since its inception in 2008. This is further enhanced through the Battle Back Phoenix programme which is available in the Personnel Recovery Centres for Service Personnel and veterans. Our participation in the Warrior Games is significant in raising awareness of the work that takes place worldwide in supporting wounded, injured and sick Service personnel, especially as we approach a busy year in sport.”
Whilst the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir David Richards said: “The 2012 Wounded Warrior Games are a great opportunity for our wounded and injured service personnel to show off their sporting prowess and to demonstrate the fantastic rehabilitation they have received through sport. This will be the first time the UK has fielded a team in these games and this underlines the special relationship the UK and the US Armed Forces continue to share. I am proud to support the UK team and wish them the very best of luck for success in the Wounded Warrior Games.”
The competition, hosted by the USOC and presented by Deloitte, is also supported by the Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, USO, Fisher House Foundation, The Daniels Fund, AT&T, BP, DeVry, Anheuser Busch and the Chobani