Fund beneficiary Midge Hartley is set for The Invictus Games

RAF veteran Midge Hartley, from Huntingdon in Cambridge, is participating at this year’s Invictus Games, taking place between 16-22 April in Dusseldorf, Germany. Midge is competing in both the Wheelchair Rugby and Cycling disciplines.

The Invictus Games uses the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women. 

Midge, who worked as an RAF Imagery Analyst for 27 years, discovered he had a rare degenerative condition, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), in 2007. He explained: "These are many challenges with HSP, however, day to day I have to manage muscle spasms, especially during the night which affects my sleep, as well as spasticity in my legs which means I am very inflexible. The lack of mobility is uncomfortable and can often be painful. In particular, I find the transition from standing to sitting incredibly difficult."

Before his diagnosis, sport was very important to him, particularly rugby. Midge said: "I was an active member of the RAF rugby community and when I left the RAF my health and fitness deteriorated. So, in 2018 I attended an Invictus Games taster day and it introduced me to sports I could do rather than the sports I could no longer do. I revelled in it!"

He added: "I am immensely proud to be part of the Team United Kingdom, and extremely grateful for the opportunity I have been given to represent my family, friends, and country at the Games. 

"The Invictus Games has provided the catalyst I needed to make positive changes to my life and start engaging in sport again. It has allowed me to confront, and challenge my disability and its associated limitations, increase my own resilience, and better prepare for any further challenges that lie ahead."

The RAF Benevolent Fund has supported Midge in his recovery by upgrading his standard bathroom into a wet-room, giving him the independence he needs and deserves. Midge said: "The Fund’s support has been a godsend. The shower and wet room have allowed me to be independent and feel normal for a bit longer. Not only does the bathroom adaptation cater for my immediate needs, the RAF Benevolent Fund has ensured that it will continue to cater for my future requirements as my condition deteriorates."