PRINCE HARRY MEETS THE UK TEAM FOR THE INVICTUS GAMES

PRINCE HARRY MEETS THE UK TEAM FOR THE INVICTUS GAMES



A six-year-old girl thanked Prince Harry for supporting her military mother when she met the royal at an Invictus Games event today.

Maya Turner smiled shyly as she showed Harry, 32, a handwritten letter saying how 'proud' she is of her mother, RAF Sergeant Michelle Turner, who is part of the 90-strong team who will represent the UK at the games this September.

In a heart-warming moment, Prince Harry shook the schoolgirl's hand and read the letter, which said: 'I was very proud of mummy and every other brave boy and girl. Thank you Help for Heroes and Prince Harry for helping my mummy and her friends.

Maya was introduced to the prince at a launch event for the UK team at Plaisterers' Hall, in London, where he threw his support behind the military heroes taking part.

Harry gave a short speech in which he told the competitors: 'It's not about medals it's about taking part. Every single one of you are ambassadors for the Invictus Games. You guys have made an incredible journey to this point.

'This is a team effort so make the most of it. But please behave.'



Harry created the Invictus Games in 2014 to showcase the achievements of injured and wounded military personnel and veterans, and has been a driving force behind the annual event.

The international competition, which takes its name from the Latin for 'unconquered, undefeated', is a Paralympic-style multi-sport event. This year the UK is one of 17 nations that will compete in 12 adaptive sports, from basketball to swimming.

Maya's mother Michelle, who suffers from a heart condition, will compete in swimming and rowing events.

Her husband John, talking about the impact the selection had on his wife, said 'It's incredible. It's really lifted her and really brought her back to her old self.'

Earlier Prince Harry issued a rallying cry to the UK team, saying: 'It's going to be good. Whether you get a medal or not you are going to have an amazing experience. Suck up all the experiences.

'For your family, your loved one, your friends, everything has changed too. Their aspirations may have been changed as much as yours. They will have made sacrifices too. This is a chance to thank them too. Thank them for the sacrifices they have also made.



'No matter how you are going to do I promise you that you will feel a million dollars. Whether you cross the finishing line first it last will make no difference to me or to anyone.

'It's in our blood to win, it's in our nature to win. [but] whether you are blowing smoke out of your a*** as your cross the line makes no difference. It is what you are achieving, what you have achieved to get there.

'This is a real opportunity for you guys to be congratulated and recognised for the amazing things you have done and the amazing things you are doing and will go on to do.

'This is the last stepping stone and as I see it there are many different paths you can now follow. '



Prince Harry has said the Games shine a spotlight on the 'unconquerable' character of service men and women and their families and their 'Invictus' spirit.

The UK delegation to the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 is being delivered by a partnership comprising The Ministry of Defence, Help for Heroes, and The Royal British Legion.

UK Team Captain, former Army Major Bernie Broad, lost both his legs below the knee due to injuries sustained in an explosion in Helmand Province in 2009.

He underwent four years of extensive surgery and rehabilitation followed by two years of assistance from the Personnel Recovery Unit at Chetwynd Barracks in Chilwell.



He said: 'As a fully-blooded late entry officer in the Grenadier Guards I ate up the chance to take part and become captain.

'When you become injured it's amazing what you lose - confidence , dignity, stature... I didn't want anyone to see me like this.

'Since being medically retired from the Armed Forces in 2014, I feel that I have taken my foot off the gas and become quite complacent.

'But I didn't want to sit around feeling sorry for myself. I have always been a keen and competitive sportsman, so I kick started my fitness regime and now regularly swim, cycle and walk.

'Invictus was a big, bright light that I feel I needed to get into. Now I've got no excuse not to do nothing.

'I'm looking forward to taking part in the Invictus Games as I see this involvement as a way to re-focus me physically and mentally and to re-engage in a full, active, competitive and fulfilling life.'