Courageous solider Mike set for Invictus Games launch

Mike Goody, formerly of White Horses Way, Littlehampton, will be representing the UK at the competition, which will see hundreds of injured service personnel taking part.

The 29-year-old will be one of the UK’s swimmers during the four-day tournament, that is being held at London’s Olympic Park.

Mike, who works as an emergency care support worker for the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), had his left leg amputated below the knee after he was trapped under a 4.5-ton armoured car hit by a roadside bomb.

The solider, who was serving with the RAF as a gunner, was left in agony for three hours until his comrades freed him after the blast in Kandahar, in 2008.

He spent two years attempting to recover, battling depression, post traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism, before taking the courageous move to amputate his injured limb – something which he said he has never looked back on.

Mike, a former student at The Angmering School, has now come to terms with his amputation even making light of his injury with a tattoo on his other leg, which reads: “I miss my friend.”

Over the four days from tomorrow (Thursday, September 11), more than 400 competitors from 13 nations will battle it out across nine adaptive sports.

Teams have travelled from the USA, France, Italy, Denmark, Estonia, Canada, Holland, Australia, Afghanistan, Georgia, New Zealand and Germany to compete in the sporting spectacle.

David Brixey, head teacher at The Angmering School, said all the students and staff will be cheering Mike on.

“It was really good to see Mike is going to take part in the Invictus Games,” he added. “Many staff here remember him with affection and we all wish him well for this excellent event.”

The games, which is supported by armed forces charity Help For Heroes, aims to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.

The games’ opening ceremony will be broadcast tonight on the BBC with the opening ceremony beginning at 7pm.

In 2012 Mike was one of the privileged few to carry the Paralympic Torch during the Paralympic Games, in London.

For Mike’s full story, see next week’s paper, out Thursday, September 18).