Inspirational United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) colleague Lucy Holt will soon be swapping her role supporting NHS services for a place at the Invictus Games.
Corporate Support Officer Lucy will be among the 61 veterans and serving personnel to represent Team UK at the games, which are due to start on Saturday 16 April 2022 at The Hague in the Netherlands.
Lucy has been waiting several years for her chance to compete, with the event having been postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lucy, who is based at Lincoln County Hospital, said: “Everyone at work has been really supportive and I’m really looking forward to going to The Hague. The pandemic made it difficult but training never really stopped as we took everything online. There have been a number of virtual events to keep us active.
“When I did my injury I never thought I would be able to do sport again. To be able to compete in the Invictus Games is incredible.”
It was a serious ankle injury from playing netball that led to former RAF Senior Aircraftsman Lucy (29) being discharged from her military service. The injury and subsequent surgeries left her with no feeling in some parts of her foot and Lucy continues to undergo regular specialist treatment to address the extreme sensitivity and discomfort she also lives with.
The Invictus Games will see more than 500 competitors from 20 nations to compete in a series of adaptive sports. Lucy will represent Team UK in basketball, field athletics (seated throws), powerlifting and rowing.
Since taking up rowing in 2018, Lucy has also joined a Paralympic development pathway with her sights set on qualifying for Paris in 2024 or Los Angeles in 2028, having secured two world records and four British records in virtual events.
Lucy has managed to fit in 15 training sessions a week to prepare for the Invictus Games including weekend training camps with teammates set up by Help for Heroes, alongside being mum to eight-year-old Harvey and undertaking her full time NHS job.
She now hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams. She added: “The Invictus Games will be difficult but I am looking forward to going out there to do my best. Being part of the Invictus Games team has been an important part of my recovery and the camaraderie and atmosphere has been amazing. I hope I can help to show others that just because someone has a disability, it doesn’t mean you can’t do amazing things like this.”
ULHT Chief Executive Andrew Morgan said: “We are very proud to have strong links to the military at ULHT, with many of our colleagues and their families connected through past or present service. Lucy’s courage and determination to overcome adversity and encourage others is inspirational and we wish her and her fellow competitors the best of luck as they make their final preparations for The Invictus Games.”
Team UK is delivered to the Invictus Games by Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and the Ministry of Defence. Help for Heroes is responsible for selecting, training and welfare of Team UK competitors while the Royal British Legion supports friends and family.