A FORMER Army corporal whose career ended when he sustained injuries while serving in Bosnia has returned home from a competitive military sports tournament with a silver medal.

Dave Shaw, who grew up in Kendal, was medically discharged after damage to his neck and back resulted in him needing a major spine operation.

The surgery involved having scaffolding placed around his spine, a plate in his left shoulder and his neck fused - and he thought he would never be active again.

But support from Help for Heroes gave him the confidence to try sports different to the running he used to love.

When Dave, who now lives in Newcastle, discovered that he enjoyed cycling, the charity funded him a recumbent trike and he took to the Northumbrian roads to get fit.

Little did the 50-year-old think, back then, that what he regarded as a healthy hobby would lead to him racing in New York at the Warrior Games.

An early injury thwarted his chances of claiming glory - but he threw his way to the silver medal in the shotput - a sport which he had not done since school but which he is now keen to pursue further.

Dave was one of around 250 competitors selected to take part in the event - an adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans organised by the US military

“When I first got my recumbent bike, I could only cycle three miles and yet there I was, at the US military academy in West Point, taking part in a 20km time trial,” said Dave.

“It was really hot when the race took place and I hurt my knee early on so completing the distance was tough but I was determined to finish and really pleased that I did.”

And now having been successful at the Warrior Games, he now has his sights on the 2017 Invictus Games – and hopes he can inspire other wounded veterans to believe in life after injury.

“I’m living proof that once you’re injured, you’re not finished. The Warrior Games and the Invictus Games give us a platform to show that we still have a lot to offer.”

For more information about how Help for Heroes can support wounded, injured or sick soldiers, visit: www.helpforheroes.org.uk