WOUNDED and sick service personnel and veterans have been presented with archery leaders qualifications at a Help for Heroes recovery centre after a week-long course.

Held at the Help for Heroes run Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison, the course taught 12 participants the skills needed to become better archers and to understand the fundamentals of shooting so that they can teach children and adults in a safe and comfortable environment.

The group comprised people with a range of disabilities who travelled from as far away as Glasgow, Preston, as well as those from all over the North East.

The participants were also able to take part in gym classes, swimming lessons and art therapy, which are run out of the centre.

The course was funded by Help for Heroes Battleback programme- a UK Military initiative that uses adaptive adventure training and sports rehabilitation to help seriously wounded service personnel to gain independence and confidence - and delivered by Phillip Van-Buren from Archery GB who has represented Britain in the Compound Bow classification.

Help for Heroes runs a number of archery leaders courses across the country as part of the charity’s wider Sports Recovery programme, including opportunities to take part in more than 300 sporting events a year, education and training, as well as opportunities in Paralympic sport through a partnership with the British Paralympic Association called Front Line to Start Line.

For more information about Help for Heroes’ Sports Recovery programme or to get involved, visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk.