19th June 2014

Organisers of the Invictus Games today announced that over 300 members of the British Armed Forces will be supporting the international sports event for ‘wounded warriors’ launched by Prince Harry by taking on key roles during the Games including assisting teams from the participating nations and stewarding.

As well as assisting spectators and international competitors, they will be cheering on their comrades on the field of play. Some of the Servicemen and women who will be undertaking these roles will be from the same units as many of the competitors and will be cheering on men and women they served alongside of.

SportsAid, the charity helping the next generation of British sport stars at the start of their careers, will be providing some volunteers for the Invictus Games. The remainder of the voluntary workforce will be provided by Presenting Partner Jaguar Land Rover and Official Supporters BT, PwC and YESSS Electrical. These volunteers will take on roles including meeting and greeting spectators, wayfinding and assisting with transport.

Invictus Games organisers today also announced that London 2012 legacy charity Join In will select Games Makers to help train the volunteers and share their experience of being part of a multi-sport event. The Games Makers, now operating as Join In Local Leaders, will be passing on any tips and advice to help ensure that the 400 competitors taking part in the Invictus Games have a memorable and inspiring experience.

Sir Keith Mills, Chairman of the Invictus Games Organising Committee said: “The support of Armed Forces personnel during the Invictus Games will help ensure the smooth running of the Invictus Games as well as provide a real boost for their fellow comrades who will be competing. We are also thrilled that some of the Games Makers will be passing on their knowledge and expertise to our Invictus Games volunteers.”

Rebecca Birkbeck, Chief Executive of Join In said: “London 2012 was an amazing experience for all of us. As part of the ongoing legacy of the Games, Join In is proud to be able to share the experience of the Games Makers, and contribute to the future success of the Invictus Games.”

Joy Edwards, a London 2012 Games Maker who was a member of the staffing team in the Olympic Park during the Paralympic Games and is one of Join In's Local Leaders, said: "Volunteering at the Paralympic Games was an amazing experience, which demonstrated the power sport has to break down barriers and change lives. I am honoured and excited to potentially have the opportunity to pass on my knowledge to the Invictus Games volunteers."

Invictus is Latin for unconquered, a word that embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women and what they can achieve, post-injury. The Invictus Games are a unique chance for the public to celebrate this ‘invictus spirit’ through sporting achievement, at venues made famous by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Tickets for the event are on sale at www.invictusgames.org and cost £12.85.

The Invictus Games are being organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. The event will feature nine adaptive sports at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Lee Valley Athletics Centre, with a competitive driving challenge organised by Jaguar Land Rover.

Join In was formed in April 2012 to build on the success of the London 2012 Games and aims to put more volunteers into community sport and physical activity through its creative campaigns, on the ground volunteer Local Leaders and website www.joininuk.org.