A BRAVE veteran who overcame crippling injuries to compete at the Invictus Games has been praised by military charity which helped his recovery.

Navy mine warfare specialist Paul Guest, 54, was seriously injured while serving in Northern Ireland in 1986.

He damaged his neck and spine, was left partially deaf and has a visual impairment.

Below the surface, his psychological injuries were worse.

Paul battles post traumatic stress disorder every day, and spent ten years locked in his house. But he recently bounced back by using sport as a tool on his road to recovery. After competing in the 2017 Invictus Games, which was founded by Prince Harry for wounded veterans, he took part in a

remarkable six different sports at the 2018 Games in Sydney.

He competed in the athletics, archery, powerlifting, tennis, cycling and basketball.

He finished second place in the tennis and took home a bronze medal in the wheelchair basketball.

He revealed Prince Harry chatted to him about his tattoos and his family.

Paul received vital support from Chavasse VC House, a Help for Heroes recovery centre.

Ann Scott, of the charity, said: “Paul is a regular at the centre in Colchester so we were bursting with pride to learn that he made Team UK.

“We’ve all been gripped watching him compete at this year’s Invictus Games in Sydney. Six different sports in seven days is quite an achievement.

“It’s heart-warming to hear Paul credits Help for Heroes as not just changing his life, but saving his life.

“However, we have just walked alongside him and given him the tools to aid his recovery.”

“Sport can be such a powerful driver in a veteran’s recovery.”