Twenty one Blesma Members have been selected to compete for the UK team at this year’s Invictus Games, which will be held in Sydney, Australia in October. More hopefuls than ever before – a whopping 451 people – applied to be a part of the UK squad, with just 72 wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans selected. The Games will see 500 competitors from 18 nations compete in 11 adaptive sports, with sailing set to be introduced for the first time.

Blesma Member Spencer Bull, who was only medically discharged from the Army last December, has been named vice captain alongside former RAF Sergeant Michelle Turner. Spencer served as an officer with the Royal Green Jackets (now part of The Rifles) for 29 years, and will compete in shot put, hand bike, sailing and swimming.

I’ve just heard the news that my three children will be able to travel with my wife and I to Australia, so I cannot wait to see their faces when I tell them! My children were the reason I applied to take part, as my chosen sports are ones I can carry on doing with them once the Games have finished. My family are there for me at 2am when something isn’t right and they support me through the highs and lows, so the Games are as much for them as they are for me.

Spencer Bull

Spencer is hoping to work with his fellow vice captain, as well as the team’s captain Mark ‘Dot’ Perkins to bring the UK competitors, coaches, families and friends closer together.

In June, Prince Harry, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, announced that the fifth Invictus Games will be hosted in The Hague, The Netherlands in May 2020.