Tuesday 17 May 2022 07:55 PM Help for Heroes will no longer be involved with Prince Harry's Invictus Games trends now
Injured veterans charity Help for Heroes will no longer lead Team UK at the Invictus Games after training and selecting the team since Prince Harry launched the event in 2014.
The Ministry of Defence has stripped the charity of its responsibilities and said, going forward, the Royal British Legion will take over leading Team UK at the injured veterans event.
The Government said the decision had been made because the Royal British Legion, of which the Queen is patron, could provide 'more personnel', 'secure funding' and 'a commitment to support the team in the future'.
The event was launched by Prince Harry in 2014 after he was inspired by a similar sporting event in the US the year prior. He has not commented on the news publicly.
In a statement issued today, Help for Heroes said it wanted to emphasise that the decision was out of their hands.
Lis Skeet, Services Director at Help for Heroes added: 'Help for Heroes is incredibly proud to have trained, supported and delivered Team UK for the past five Invictus Games.
Help for Heroes will no longer lead Team UK at the Invictus Games, the event started by Prince Harry for wounded veterans. Pictured: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at this year's games
The MoD has said the Royal British Legion will lead Team UK at future Invictus Games events
'However, following extensive discussions, it has been decided by the MOD that the Royal British Legion will lead the end-to-end delivery of Team UK to the Invictus Games for the next five years and will also be the main funder of the programme.
'Unfortunately, therefore, we will no longer be directly involved in Invictus Team UK.
'We want to emphasise that this was not a decision we made ourselves. We know The Games continues to play a unique role in shining a light on the abilities of wounded veterans.
'The MOD considered proposals from the Invictus UK partnership and have chosen this route moving forwards.
'Our focus now is on helping more people across the UK, within their communities, as part of keeping our promise to be here for wounded veterans for as long as they need us.'
The charity said it would continue to carry out its work, supporting wounded veterans and personnel.
It added: 'Of course, we will continue to cheer on Team UK and look forward to seeing what the Invictus Games achieves in the future.'
Reports from the Express suggest the charity had wanted
