TWO inspirational Dalton heroes have flown out to the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 with the 90-strong Invictus UK team.

Army sergeant Kevin Kell and former army private Charlie Walker, who are remarkably both from the Furness town, flew to Canada with the UK team on Thursday.

The Invictus Games was created by Prince Harry for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. The opening ceremony of the Toronto Games takes place on Saturday and the event runs until September 30. There are 17 nations represented across the 11 sporting events in this third Invictus Games.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Prince Harry chats with UK Armed Forces team member Charlie Walker during sitting volleyball training at <a href="https://twitter.com/InvictusToronto">@InvictusToronto</a> <a href="https://t.co/Piq15wwOEb">pic.twitter.com/Piq15wwOEb</a></p>— Chris Jackson (@ChrisJack_Getty) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisJack_Getty/status/911307779842957312">September 22, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sergeant Kell competes in the first-ever golf tournament at Invictus on Tuesday September 26 at St George’s Golf and Country Club, one of the world’s top courses. The 39-year-old just wants to make his young daughter proud. The veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq has recently recovered from brain tumour surgery and pneumonia.

The Royal Engineer of 22 years suffered traumatic brain and lung injuries while serving in Afghanistan in 2011. He also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and a hearing impairment. Sgt Kell spent a year in and out of hospital and received rehabilitation at the Help for Heroes recovery centres of Headley Court, Surrey, and Phoenix Centre, Catterick.

Sgt Kell lost his wife, Joanne Kell, 39, to cancer in July last year. Sgt Kell is competing in the Invictus Games to inspire their two-year daughter Faith and show her what can be achieved, even in times of adversity.

Read Sgt Kell's inspirational words here: Army hero will make it to Invictus Games to inspire daughter after recovering from brain tumour op

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Amazingly, the UK Invictus team is represented by two Daltonians and former Dowdales School students. Invictus veteran and Paralympian Mr Walker is competing in two events and coaching in another.

The multiple Invictus gold medal winner is a member of the wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby teams and he is coaching the sitting volleyball team.

The wheelchair rugby takes place on Wednesday September 27 and Thursday September 28 and the wheelchair basketball runs from Thursday September 28 to Saturday September 30.

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 credits sport as being a vital part of his recovery process, saying: “It gives me a sense of purpose, a reason to set new higher goals: it keeps me physically fit and mentally strong."

It also allows him to be part of a military team. As a coach he wants to 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.


When Invictus Games Toronto 2017 coverage is scheduled to be shown on BBC One

Sunday September 24 - 5.30pm BST

Monday September 25 - 7.30pm and 8.30pm BST

Tuesday September 26 - 7pm BST

Wednesday September 27 - 8pm BST

Thursday September 28 - 8pm BST

Friday September 29- 8.30pm BST

Saturday September 30 - 5.15pm BST

Sunday October 1 - 5pm BST