Mowden Park rugby players took on a whole new ball game yesterday (Tuesday 28th July) when they played a match of wheelchair rugby against wounded, injured and sick veterans.
The Help for Heroes Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick gathered a team of veterans and serving military personnel to take part in a friendly match against Mowden Park Rugby Club’s 1st XV team.
Mowden Park was honoured to play alongside some of the country’s greatest heroes and managing director, Lee Rust said it was a perfect event for the club to get involved with.
He said: “Help for Heroes is a fantastic organisation and its staff do some inspirational work. It’s an organisation that we are delighted to be supporting and working with.
“It has been great to visit them on their home turf and joining our servicemen and women in what was a brilliant game of wheelchair rugby.”
The Help for Heroes Recovery Centre is one of four in the country and Phoenix House is a purpose-built centre, helping those who have become injured, wounded or sick whilst serving our country to live their lives to the full.
Mo Usman, head of recovery North for Help for Heroes, said: “Wheelchair rugby is just one of many sports and activities which we offer to inspire, enable and support our wounded to achieve their potential.
“For our veterans and military personnel, meeting and playing with professional rugby players is a real boost to their confidence.
“The benefits are huge for their recovery – it’s the psychological and physical benefits of exercise as well as being part of a team.”
During the day the rugby players were given a grand tour of the Recovery Centre before the training and match commenced.
Director of rugby, Danny Brown, hopes that the event will become an annual occasion. He said: “We owe our veterans an enormous amount of respect and this was a fantastic opportunity just to have fun and try something new.
“The lads have had a brilliant time and we’ve all had fun and played lots of games and we also held a great prize giving ceremony which rounded off the day perfectly. It has also given our guys some real perspective.”
To find more about Mowden Park visit http://www.mowdenpark.com/
Anyone who served in the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force who needs the support of Help for Heroes Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick can self-refer by calling 01748 834148.