Wiltshire's Help for Heroes stripped of involvement with Prince Harry's Invictus Games
MoD ends charity's prestigious job of training and supporting Team UK
Last updated 20th May 2022
Help for Heroes, the Wiltshire based charity for injured veterans, is no longer directly involved at the forefront of running the Invictus Games, a sporting event launched 8 years ago by Prince Harry.
A decision by the Ministry of Defence has stripped Help for Heroes of its responsibilities and from now on the event for injured veterans will be now be led by The Royal British Legion.
According to reports the Government decision was made because the Royal British Legion, whose patron is the Queen, provides "more personnel", "secure funding" and "a commitment to support the team in the future".
Since 2014 Help for Heroes has supported, trained and been involved with Invictus Team UK.
Help for Heroes, which itself began in a small tin hut in Tidworth in 2007, has stated that this separation from the Invictus Games was not its own decision.
In statement the charity said how is incredibly proud it is to have trained, supported and delivered Team UK for the past five Invictus Games:
"However, following extensive discussions, it has been decided by the MOD that the Royal British Legion will lead the end-to-end delivery of Team UK to the Invictus Games for the next five years and will also be the main funder of the programme."
"Unfortunately, therefore, we will no longer be directly involved in Invictus Team UK."
"We want to emphasise that this was not a decision we made ourselves. We know The Games continues to play a unique role in shining a light on the abilities of wounded veterans."
It's understood the MOD considered proposals from the Invictus UK partnership and chosen this route moving forwards. Help for Heroes says its focus is now on helping more people across the UK, within their communities, as part of keeping its promise to be here for wounded veterans for as long as they need them.
"Since the charity launched in 2007, we have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of sport in both rehabilitation and recovery. But this power of sport extends beyond the Invictus Games."
"Adaptive, inclusive sport continues to be an important part of the Charity's whole person approach to recovery. Our nearly 40-strong Sport, Activity and Fellowship team will continue to deliver competitive and recreational, inclusive and adaptive sport opportunities around the UK."
"Our Coaching Academy, a sports coaching development programme for veterans, will continue, and we have re-launched our 'Front Line to Start Line' sports transition programme for wounded veteran athletes, from talent identification through to retirement from sport. Of course, we will continue to cheer on Team UK and look forward to seeing what the Invictus Games achieves in the future."