News — sports recovery

Former Army Sergeant, Darren Carew had hopes of joining the military since a small child as well as becoming a rugby player. His dreams were realised after joining the Royal Welsh Regiment in 1998. ‘’Going into the Royal Regiment of Wales gave me an opportunity to be a soldier and a rugby player – so it was like a match made in heaven – and to be honest I flourished with the time in the military, I found who I wanted to be – grew - met friends I will always have’’.

In 2008, after transferring to 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in 2005, Darren was injured while on patrol in Afghanistan. His life changed when the armoured vehicle he was travelling in rolled over an explosive device, injuring Darren and two others. Consequently, Darren sustained injuries leading to the loss of his left leg. ‘’Getting ripped out of that environment – and all of your friends that you’ve been fighting alongside to being there (in hospital) was extremely challenging, mentally and physically. Coping with the injuries you have – to coming to terms with the sudden change – its trauma.‘’

Now, in a much better place, Darren says ‘’Help for Heroes have had a direct impact on my progression post-injury’’. After being rehabilitated Darren focused on sports recovery, '' I was part of the GB team for the Warrior Games, with an eye towards competing at Invictus but during that competition I found my passion for coaching and gave up competing to help others.''

Darren now works as the Disability Rugby Coordinator for the welsh Rugby Union and has worked closely with the Help for Heroes Community Recovery Team in Wales, delivering Rugby Coaching Training and wheelchair rugby sessions. He's now able to make a difference on a daily basis.  

Darren proudly models the Proud to Support Union Jack Polo, £30. Shop the Proud to Support collection here

Paul 'Jenks' Jenkins is a stalwart part of British wheelchair Rugby - initially as a player for Great Britain and then later as a coach. He is now Head Coach of the Ospreys Wheelchair Rugby team in Wales as well as the British Invictus team and the Help for Heroes Warrior Games team.

He knows first-hand the benefits of getting into Wheelchair Rugby, following a devastating accident that left him a permanent wheelchair user. 

Jenks served for six years in the Welsh Guards in the 1970's. Within a year of leaving he had a motorbike accident which broke his neck. Like the people he now helps he went along for a trial session.

''In my first year I was lucky enough to get selected for the Great Britain team and it's just bloomed from there''.

Paul has proudly represented his country at Paralympics and European Championships. He has been supported by his wife Jayne.

Now he works a lot with veterans coming through Help for Heroes. ''They're signposting people to me like there's no tomorrow! Which is great because you see them when they come first as a bit down in the dumps. The more they come the more they learn, the better they like the sport. And that's what it's all about, it's about them getting out to do something rather than sitting around depressed and fed up with life''. 



We caught up with Jayne Jenkins, who is never far from Paul's side. Jayne is happy to get stuck in with helping the players at training sessions. She can't remember how many wheels she has fixed after a crash!

Jayne wears the Navy Signature Hoody, available from the Signature collection here. 

''It's lovely with Paul being ex-military as well, it just gives him back being in the military family, you know, and I support him in every way that I can, to keep him busy.''

She knows the importance of the sport to Paul: ''Job satisfaction, I think if Paul didn't do this, he would just be sat in the house doing nothing. This is his life, he eats, breathes everything wheelchair rugby.'' She loves seeing veterans coming along and trying the game with Jenks: ''It's amazing to see them going from knowing nothing to winning medals''. 

It was brilliant having Jenks and Jayne featured on our photoshoot showing their dedication to helping veterans. They really enjoyed the day too, modelling lots of kit including the Welsh Rugby shirts! ''It's a great honour, to be asked to do that, you know we're Welsh and we're proud.''