Several months ago I was lucky enough to be one of the volunteers at the Invictus Games British Trials, held at the University of Bath. Tonight the BBC will broadcast the first Invictus Games footage from the Orlando Games.
It was an odd day for me, I have never been around so many people who all share such an emotional, traumatic past. However as I looked around at the injured and sick servicemen and women I was in awe of how cheery and positive they were. Even though it was 7am on a Friday morning the noise coming from the reception area of the Sports Training Village could have been mistaken for a pack of laughing Hyenas. Such was the atmosphere that members of the public were bring drawn in and were even talking to the servicemen and women like they had known each other all their lives. Looking at there laughing, smiley faces it was hard to believe that many of these servicemen and women had seen the harsh realities of war. Many of them were missing limbs, or were wheelchair bound, but there were others who on first appearance seemed to be physically able. However mentally they had been unwell, with many still struggling, PTSD, anxiety and depression had wriggled their way into the servicemen and women’s lives, affecting their everyday thoughts and feelings. But these injuries and illnesses were not going to stop the servicemen and women living their lives to the full.
A quick introduction to the organizer’s and the running order followed, with athletics being the first activity of the day. I was tasked with marking the discus and shotputt throws which the servicemen and women completed. So for three hours I stood with flags in my hand and waited for the call of ‘Alice’ to come from the edge of the throwing circle. My name being called to mark out throws become rather popular with the servicemen and women who were waiting for there turn to throw, in fact my name was repeated several times every time I was called to mark up, which as i’m sure you know is only amusing the first few times. After three hours I was sick of hearing my own name being called out, but that’s all part of volunteering, just keep smiling and don’t let them see that they are annoying you!
Suddenly there was a weird buzz going around the field, followed by excited whispers and the noise of hundreds of camera shutters clicking away. Turning around it was clear to see why, Prince Harry had just come into view and people were clearly excited to see royalty. Prince Harry is the founder of the Invictus Games and an appearance from him seemed to excite everyone. Following a brief tour of the athletics track and field everyone went inside to hear Prince Harry speak. The banter between the servicemen and women and Prince Harry was incredible to see, jokes were being thrown around like Prince Harry was just another serviceman, who had walked into the pub on a Friday night with his friends.
After Prince Harry’s speech everyone was provided with lunch, where volunteers, servicemen and women and organizer’s mingled together and discussed the mornings events. The afternoon sports then followed where I ended up helping with the weightlifting trials. The support around this event was amazing, with members of the public watching from the gym balcony and shouting there support. It was incredible to see everyone rallying together to support our injured servicemen and women, showing them how much we appreciate what they have sacrificed for this country.
Overall it was a truly inspirational day. I learnt so much, but the main point which I took away from the trials was that you have to look at someones ability and not their disability. The stories behind each of the injured and sick servicemen and women were truly inspirational, and really highlighted that we must appreciate what we have in this life as we never know when it could be taken from us.
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