Veterans gear up for Harry’s Invictus Games

The Games will see injured and sick servicemen and women from around the world go head to head in four days of competition in London.

They were launched by Prince Harry after he visited a similar event in America last year. With him on that trip was former Yorkshire Regiment captain David Wiseman, of Tadcaster, who was seriously injured in Hellmand Province, Afghanistan, when he was shot in the chest, in 2009.

He said sport was “instrumental” in his recovery, which included an expedition to climb Mount Everest in 2012.

Mr Wiseman, 31, who is deputy events director for the Games, will compete in the swimming on Sunday. He said: “With working on the Games since day one, it was really hard not to get wrapped up and want to take part. Fitting in training in Tadcaster while working in London has been tough, but I’ve received some great coaching.”

Also competing will be Rob Cromey-Hawke, 30, of Cowling, near Skipton, who was selected to be part of the swimming and cycling teams.

Mr Cowling was injured during a tour of Afghanistan in 2012 while serving with the Royal Engineers, when the vehicle he was travelling in drove over an Improvised Explosive Device.

He damaged his back, hearing, and suffering a brain injury.

“I think it’s wonderful to have been selected and hopefully the Invictus Games will continue as a legacy,” he said.

David Hubber, of Ripon, who served in the Royal Logistics Corps, was injured in 2001 while playing ice hockey for the army. Mr Hubber, who uses a wheelchair, will take part in the archery.

Mikey Hall, 39, of Richmond, was also selected to be part of the archery team. He broke his neck and back after falling on an assault course near Catterick Garrison in 2000.