A WORCESTER dad who had his sight robbed from him five years ago is this week jetting off to America as one of the athletes who will represent the UK in the 2016 Invictus Games.

Mark Abel, 49, an administration assistant for Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and a former corporal in the army is all set for his appearance at the Games.

They take place from May 8 to 12, at the ESPN World of Sport, in Orlando, Florida. He flies out to the USA on Wednesday, May 4.

His journey towards representing the country was one he could never have imagined.

He lost his sight suddenly back in 2011 after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Undeterred by his illness and supported by Blind Veterans UK, Mark, who has worked for the NHS for the past 14 years, was able to return to employment, enrolling onto an apprenticeship with the Trust in 2014.

After overcoming the challenges of getting back into work, Mark, who describes what little bit of sight he has left as 'looking through grease proof paper' decided to embark on an international challenge and applied for trials for the Invictus Games.

The event features over 500 military athletes from 15 countries who compete in 10 events including archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

"I was amazed to have been chosen to take part and am really excited. My wife, Anita, is coming with me and so is my 13-year-old son, Sam. He has been given special leave from school. My daughter, Sophie, is at university in Worcester studying to be a teacher and cannot get away.

"I have done a lot of swimming in the past and my strength is breast stroke. I will be in four disciplines: 50m freestyle, 50m breast stroke, 50m back stroke and 100m free style. Obviously being there and taking part is brilliant but I would be thrilled to come back with a medal," he said.

The games allows the athletes, who are made up of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans, to represent their country, get involved in new sports and help improve self-confidence and feelings of empowerment.

Although Mr Abel was initially selected as a reserve for the UK team, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry, unveiled the 110-strong team earlier this month and he was informed he had been picked. It will be aired on BBC one throughout the games.

He has had the support of Help4Heroes, the MOD, The Royal British Legion, sponsors Jaguar Land Rover, Blind Veterans UK and Worcester Swimming Club.”