“It’s changed my life. It’s just been fantastic to have my freedom back.” Army veteran, Paul, contacted RBL in 2016 with hopes of finding some money to go towards the cost of a mobility scooter. 16 years into his service with the Pioneer Corps, Paul developed a degenerative disc disease in his back, which left him with very limited mobility to do many of the things he loved. But a chance meeting with someone who shared his condition led him to seek our help. After an Occupational Therapist’s assessment, the electric wheelchair was found unsuitable for the moors, so Paul asked us to part-fund a £16,000 mobility scooter. “About a month later I had a letter from the RBL saying we’re going to fund the whole cost…it was one of those times where as soon as I got that letter, I was like oh my goodness I can’t believe this.” Paul has now rediscovered the things that give him joy. “I’ve never looked back since. I’m able to do all the things I have done before. We go for long walks with the dogs, we go on the beach, on Dartmoor.” He has also joined a group for disabled ramblers and the impact has been phenomenal. “It’s been fantastic. I approached the RBL with the hope of a small grant. To be rewarded with the full cost of an item was absolutely fantastic.” (fb)

Sam always aspired to join the Armed Forces. The University Air Squadron offered the perfect way to pursue her military goals while studying medicine. After qualifying in 2017, Sam cared for both civilian and military patients with severe Covid-19 - first in intensive care in Birmingham, then at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre for those with long-term symptoms. While in the RAF, Sam pursued her passion for athletics, but a dislocation of her knee and a ruptured ACL at the 2023 Inter-Services competition began a long recovery journey. After multiple surgeries, Sam heard about the Invictus Games and competed in the 2025 Games in Vancouver, as part of Team UK. Sam describes this Invictus journey as being something she “really needed. “I was in a dark place and struggling with my mental health. Being an athlete was a huge part of my identity and I felt like I’d lost that. Being back on a team with a competitive goal that feels realistic has been so great.” At the Games, she competed in swimming, skiing, wheelchair basketball, and skeleton, regaining her self-confidence. Sam continues to serve as an emergency medicine doctor and Squadron Leader, embracing her recovery through Invictus. She hopes this will enable her to continue training to become a consultant and deploy in the future, something she says “without Invictus and the RBL, I’m not sure I’d still be doing.” Thank you Sam for your service ❤️ (fb)