A FORMER armed serviceman who has entered the sports arena after undergoing a double leg amputation has met a high-ranking royal at a major international event. 

Charlie Walker, originally from Dalton, was pictured speaking to Prince Harry as he took part in this year's Invictus Games in Orlando. 

Mr Walker suffered a double below the knee amputation after falling ill with meningitis in 2006 but saw his fortunes transformed when he joined team GB in the Paralympic Games six years later. 

Now, the sporting champ has travelled to Orlando to take part in the second Invictus Games where he is set to go head-to-head with Georgia in this afternoon's sitting volleyball semi-finals. 

Speaking after the team's first preliminary game against Afganistan, UK team captain, Mr Walker, said: “We need to improve our match sharpness, as we’ve not played a lot of games. If we improve our match sharpness, we’ll be all right.”

As well as storming the field in sitting volleyball, Mr Walker is also set to show off his athletic prowess in wheelchair rugby tomorrow and wheelchair basketball on Thursday.

The sporting hero discovered his calling after moving near to his sister in Aylesbury while recovering from his operation. 

Living just down the road from Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Mr Walker became involved with Paralympic sport after being encourages by a friend to take part in a taster session. 

Mr Walker's mother, Edith Walker, said: "Charlie has always been sporty. He loved football at school and was a very good swimmer. He played rugby and would try all different types of sport.

"He had meningitis in 2006 and he had to learn how to walk again. He lost one leg around a year later.

"The doctors did all they could to save his leg but in the end Charlie was involved in the decision to have his second leg amputated.

"He was always so fit and used to run a lot but he has just got on with it."


<strong>Invictus Games show "the very best of human spirit"</strong> 

OVER the next two days, former servicemen and women will inspire people across the globe in an unimaginable display of strength and skill. 

Incredible athletes from around the world have come together in Orlando to take part in the second Invictus Games.

Masterminded by British royal, Prince Harry, The Invictus Games bear witness to the sheer determination of injured or sick service personnel who demonstrate their courage and talent by competing in a whole range of Paralympic sports. 

Described by the Prince as a showcase of "the very best of the human spirit", the Games first ran in 2014 to inspire and recognise the amazing morale of these athletes. 

Speaking at this year's opening ceremony, Prince Harry also paid tribute to the "invisible injuries" of former servicemen and women. 

He said: "Every single one of them will have confronted tremendous emotional and mental challenges. When we give a standing ovation to the competitor with the missing limbs, let's also cheer our hearts out for the man who overcame anxiety so severe he couldn't leave his house.

"Let's cheer for the woman who fought through post-traumatic stress and let's celebrate the soldier who was brave enough to get help for his depression."

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Mother speaks with pride as son prepares to compete in Invictus Games