A SOLDIER from Marks Tey has been helping Prince Harry make the inaugural Invictus Games an event to remember.

Private Adam Ford is proud to be among more than 300 members of the Armed Services on duty at the international multi-sport event for Wounded, Injured and Sick Service personnel and veterans.

The Invictus Games was launched by Prince Harry to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation of wounded service personnel and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.

It has been taking place at iconic London venues including the Lee Valley Athletic Centre and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Teams of wounded service men and women have come together to compete from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Georgia, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.

Nine sports were on offer, with gold, silver and bronze medals to aim for.

Working behind the scenes supporting athletes and their families from all the 13 competing nations have been soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, including Pte Ford and Cpl Hunt.

For them, the Games has a special resonance as a former member of their Regiment, Alex Tate, is competing for Great Britain in athletics.

He was severely injured in Afghanistan in 2012 but thanks to the remarkable work of the MOD's Defence Recovery Pathway and support from his unit and service charities, he has transformed himself into a talented athlete.

Pte Ford, 26, and a former pupil at Honywood Community Science School in Coggeshall, has been in the Army for three years and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012.

He said: "I'm really proud to be here at the first Invictus Games and it's great to see the public coming out to show their support to wounded soldiers from across the world. It’s remarkable to see the competitors and hear the stories about how they’ve bounced back from the adversity they have suffered to be competing at an international sporting event.”