Former Royal Marine prepares to represent UK in Invictus Games

A former Royal Marine who was based in the West Country is preparing to represent the UK in The Invictus Games.

Mark Ormrod who served with Taunton-based 40 Commando was selected from more than 300 as one of 90 to take part in the games.

The sporting event starts in Toronto on Saturday.

There's a lot of pride for Mark Ormrod here in the Westcountry.

Many people wished him luck as he trained for the games.

Among his well-wishers were fellow former Marines.

Being an athlete is something doctors warned Mark he could never do.

This Christmas Eve marks the tenth anniversary of when his life changed for good.

He was on a routine foot patrol in Helmand in Afghanistan when he triggered an IED, an improvised explosive device, which resulted in him losing both legs above the knee and one of his arms above the elbow.

The former serviceman says he thrives on challenge.

Ormrod will be taking on rowing and swimming as well as the hand bike in Toronto.

He jokes that the training for these sports is gruelling.

The former 40-commando says he decided to compete in the games to push himself as a final part of his recovery process.

Ormrod says training for and competing in the games offers a great sense of personal achievement.

The Invictus Games have fallen perfectly for Mark, who is making a documentary called NoLIMBits about his life.

He hopes his story can inspire others.

The Invictus Games were the brainchild of Prince Harry and are for wounded injured and sick servicemen and women and veterans.

The opening ceremony of the games takes place on Saturday.

Ormrod couldn't be more excited as the team departs for Toronto.