'The Invictus Games is just amazing'

Martha Prinsloo competed in last year's Invictus Games in powerlifting

Earlier this week, the Duke of Sussex attended a thanksgiving service in St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Prince Harry founded the games - a sporting competition for injured service men and women - in 2014. What did the service and the games mean to those taking part?

'Everybody is like-minded'

Ex-Army medic Martha Prinsloo took part in last year's Invictus Games

Martha Prinsloo was injured while serving as a medic with the Royal Army medical corps in Afghanistan in 2013.

It was not until 2017 when she suddenly went temporarily completely blind, with the blindness staying permanent in one eye.

The veteran, from Lincolnshire, also became unwell with anxiety and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).

She was treated by St Andrews Healthcare in Northampton, where she was encouraged to take part in the Invictus Games.

Ms Prinsloo went on to compete in swimming, powerlifting, and archery at the Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, last September.

Martha Prinsloo and her service dog Daisy were at St Paul's Cathedral for the service

She picked up a silver and bronze in swimming and a silver in powerlifting, which she said was "my first time ever competing in that sport".

"It's just amazing, from the atmosphere to everybody there," she added.

"Everybody is like-minded, friendly, kind, it's just completely different from what a normal Olympics or Paralympics would be."

Ms Prinsloo was at the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral, which she described as "fantastic".

"Hearing everyone else's stories was just phenomenal, I loved the camaraderie."

At one point she became emotional, closing her eyes, which led her service dog, Daisy, to let out a "small yelp", but she said the day was "special".

'My family have seen a change in me'

Jonny Ball competed in powerlifting and cycling at the Invictus Games

Jonny Ball, an Army Staff Sergeant from Wellingborough, won a bronze in powerlifting at the event in Dusseldorf.

He almost lost his leg in a motorcycle crash in 2019 and had to endure four years of recovery.

Mr Ball said the Games "offers so much" to veterans.

And added: "But more than that, to my family, my wife, and my little girl, seeing the change in me.

"I've seen the change in my teammates, too."

He said events like the Games were "opportunities that come from really rubbish situations".

"It just proves that the opportunities are out there for our armed forces' community. We have to grab them and sports is such an amazing recovery tool."

Jonny Ball met Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf

He described the service with Prince Harry as "a truly magical day".

"It was like a tapestry of who's who of people doing great things in our community, whether it be media, business, or charity," he said.

The next Invictus Games will be held in Vancouver Whistler, in Canada, in February 2025 where Mr Ball aims to compete again, but said he hopes the 2027 edition comes to the UK.

Earlier this month, Birmingham was shortlisted alongside Washington DC by the Invictus Games Foundation.

Mr Ball said the Games in the Midlands city would provide "opportunities" for veterans and their families to be part of the event.

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