ROMSLEY athlete Dave Watson is currently in training in the hope he will be selected to return to the Invictus Games for a second year.

The event, which will take place this autumn in Australia, was set up in 2014 by Prince Harry and is an international Paralympic style multi sport event for sick, wounded and injured service personnel.

He returned from the 2017 games in Canada with two medals, gold in the IF6 discus and bronze in the shot put.

“It was an amazing experience, the atmosphere and sense of community throughout the games was brilliant. I knew I had a chance of winning a medal but I was over the moon to leave with two. I’m working hard to see if I can make the team for a second time and to hopefully do even better this time around,” said Watson.

Joining the Army in 2008, he served with the Scots Guards. It was during a tour of Afghanistan in 2010 that he stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device), which resulted in the loss of his right arm and both legs. This life changing incident led to major surgery at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham followed by gruelling rehabilitation.

One of the things that kept Watson going through all this was his positive ‘can do’ nature and his love of sport. When the idea of Paralympic sports was presented to him he didn’t need too much persuasion to give it a go and was soon back in the sports arena with his competitive juices flowing again.

Watson lives with his wife and family in Romsley and works part time as a Patient Advocate for Fisher House, part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity. Fisher House is an 18-bedroom home away from home for military patients and their families.

He added: “I love working at Fisher House and being able to support service people and their families through their treatment at the hospital, it is a privilege."

Juggling family, work and training is a tough task but one that Watson thrives at and is driven to exceed in. As part of this he is currently seeking sponsorship for his Invictus training from local businesses. In return he can offer an array of sponsorship opportunities from speaking at events to offering logos to be placed on training gear. If your business might be interested in getting behind Watson’s Invictus challenge then please contact him by emailing dave86watson@hotmail.co.uk