VETERAN Paul Guest’s latest tattoo is a Canadian maple leaf on his neck, with Toronto 2017 underneath.

It marks the date he took part in the Invictus Games, as part of the wheelchair basketball team.

His next tattoo will be Sydney 2018 - a reminder of the second Invictus Games in which he is due to represent Great Britain this October.

Paul, 53, from Kirby-le-Soken, will be joining 71 other wounded military personnel there. He will compete in archery, athletics, powerlifting and cycling events to name but a few events.

He said: “Since last year I have just been carrying on with my training. I did the London Marathon this year, my wheelchair broke and I had a shoulder injury but I did it in about five hours.

“I have also been asked to do a charity marathon in Romania on June 9.

“I’ve just been pushing my boundaries, I have a personal coach at Fitness4Less in Colchester and it’s so inclusive.

“I don’t handle people well because of my PTSD and sometimes I get it wrong, but this has really helped me.”

Paul toured the world as a mine warfare specialist. He was injured on duty in 1987 and his neck and spine were damaged, meaning he needs 24-hour care from wife, Michelle, 39.

He joined other veterans at Chavasse VC House recovery centre in Colchester yesterday, ahead of the Invictus Games.

He said: “People see me in my chair but they don’t see what’s on the inside.

“Chavasse has been like a stepping stone, we know we can always come back here.”

His personal trainer, Ben Rowe, has been supportive, especially as Paul has had a difficult few months.

He lives with children Oliver, 15, twins Jessica and Karmen, 14, Kenneth, nine, and Freddie, six.

He said: “It’s a bit tough as the kids are in their teens now. With all the training it’s taken a toll on us financially.

“My kids are supporting me but are missing out on the finer things. That’s why I did the London Marathon as I promised them; my younger children had never seen me race.”

He is making the most of the Chavasse VC House gym before the games, which were founded by Prince Harry, who Paul met at the Invictus Games last year.

With experience as a wheelchair basketball coach he has been visiting schools to raise awareness of disability in sport.

He said: “I want to try to get funding for 12 basketball chairs and do a Help for Heroes roadshow. People with disabilities are pushed aside, when they can actually join in.”

Michelle said although he has ups and downs, the games have helped spur him on.

Paul will be taking some time out, however, to watch his old friend Prince Harry marry Meghan Markle on Saturday.