Hiya,

My name is Paul, most people know me as Zed. Two years ago, my life looked very different.

After nearly 25 years of service in the British Army, including multiple operational deployments, I found myself fighting a battle I never expected. Like many veterans, I carried things home that I struggled to deal with. Addiction became a way of coping until eventually it stopped working.

In 2024, I entered treatment at Tom Harrison House in Liverpool. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but it changed my life.

Today, I am over two years in recovery. Recovery hasn't magically fixed everything, but it has given me purpose, connection and hope. It has allowed me to rebuild relationships, rediscover who I am and begin helping other veterans facing similar struggles through a peer support community for veterans and blue-light workers.

Now I have set myself a new challenge: qualifying for and competing at the Invictus Games.

For me, this isn't just about sport. It represents resilience, recovery and proving that life can move forward after some very dark places. Every training session, every competition and every step towards qualification is a reminder that our story doesn't have to end where our struggles begin.

The funds raised will help cover the specialist kit, equipment and costs associated with training and qualification events. Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing this page, genuinely helps.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. Your encouragement means more than you know.

Recovery gave me a second chance. The Invictus Games are my opportunity to show what can be built from it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Zed