AN ARMED forces hero and bereaved husband from Dalton is determined to make a speedy recovery from brain tumour surgery to take up his place in the Invictus Games and inspire to his young daughter.

Inspirational Army Sergeant Kevin Kell has been chosen to represent the UK in the Invictus Games 2017, in Toronto at the end of September, in the first ever golf tournament at the international sports event for wounded or injured military heroes.

The 39-year-old, who has served as a mechanic with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for almost 22 years, suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving in Afghanistan, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder and a hearing impairment.

Sgt Kell was then diagnosed with a brain tumour which he is due to have surgery on at the start of next week.

Sadly Sgt Kell lost his wife, Joanne, to cancer last year, she was 39. They have a daughter, Faith, who will be two later this month.

The ex Dowdales School student was based in with his unit in Ripon, North Yorkshire, but he is now based between Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, and Dalton, where his sister and parents live. He is due to be medically discharged from the Army in November.

Sgt Kell's recovery from the surgery could take three month, but he is determined to get to the Invictus Games, which is championed by Prince Harry, to inspire Faith as she grows up.

"This is my way of being able to show my little daughter that even when the chips are down, you can still achieve things.

“I want her to know that, no matter what life throws about you, you can rise above it," said Sgt Kell.

The soldier has been playing golf on and off for 15 years. He used to play at the Barrow Golf Club, but now plays the sport in Rotherham.

Sgt Kell says training offers him a release of emotions and relieves stress; “Golf gets me away from everyday troubles. I don’t deal with stress very well so playing has been my relief, ” he said.

He hopes the Invictus Games will provide him with the opportunity to socialise with others who have been in a similar situation.

Sgt Kell's sister Karen Kell, said: "We are all so proud of him, he has done amazing and he is an inspiration. He has been through so much but at the same time he is so supportive of me and still has time for a chat and let's me have a moan from time to time. He's not just my brother, he is a true friend."

Remarkably Dalton is set to have two heroes representing the town in the Invictus Games 2017. Daltonian Paralympian Charlie Walker is to compete in the Invictus Games for the third time as a member of the wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby teams, as well as coaching the sitting volleyball team.

Also a former Dowdales student, Mr Walker has won multiple gold medals in the Invictus Games.

The hero and sportsman fell ill with meningitis in 2006 while serving in the Armed Forces. The illness resulted in a double below the knee amputation.

The former Army private, who credits sport as being a vital part of his recovery process, said: “It gives me a sense of purpose, a reason to set new higher goals: it keeps me physically fit

and mentally strong.

“The other reasons are harder to quantify but being selected lets me know that I haven't been forgotten and gives me a chance to be with a military team again. Having competed and coached before, I believe I can help others achieve their goals.”

Mr Walker now lives in Retford but his proud parents still live in Dalton and, in recognition of the support given to him by Help for Heroes, his mum Edith and dad Charles, are active volunteers for the charity in Cumbria.