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What makes the medals even more special is that they are based on a
concept by Harry Parker, who lost both of his legs in an IED
explosion in Afghanistan and they were designed and crafted by
Garrard to capture the vision behind the Invictus Games. The
embossed pattern on the medals quite rightly represents the
recovery and rehabilitation of wounded servicemen and women but
also of the sick and injured competitors taking part.
The Invictus Games
is an international Paralympic style, multi sport event that
is very similar to the USA’s Warrior Games. It is named after
the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley and will see
service personnel from 14 different nations compete in sports such
as wheelchair basketball and indoor rowing. The games are the
brainchild of Prince Harry and some of the funds have come from the
Royal Foundation, a charity set up by Harry and the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge. It isn’t just the Royal
backing that the event has though, celebrities including Daniel
Craig, Joanna Lumley, Joss Stone and Sir Bruce Forsyth have all
pledged their support.
Sergeant Craig Gadd, who whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010
lost a leg on an IED, is hoping to be selected for
the British Armed Forces Team and he added, “Sport has made
all the difference in my own journey of recovery. It’s not just the
physical and psychological benefits but the social aspect too.”
It can be assumed that should Sgt Gadd make the team, his main aim
will be to win a Garrard medal, a medal which is engraved with the
words ‘I am the master of my fate’ and the
Invictus ‘I AM’ trademark.
Eric Deardoff, CEO of Garrard is also fully behind the games, “We
are honoured to play such a critical role in such a remarkable
event in London to raise awareness of the recovery and
rehabilitation of those who served their country.”
Garrard has been a creator of Royal regalia, jewellery and
silverware for Kings and Queens all around the world for nearly 300
years and it is also credited with supplying the Americas Cup, the
ICC Cricket World Cup and the Premier League Trophy.
It is quite apt that Invictus is Latin for unconquered and when the
400 competitors take to the sporting stage in September this will
be the embodiment of their fighting spirit, to show what they can
achieve post injury. It will also be a chance for the public to
celebrate the Invictus spirit and to encourage the competitors to
drive themselves further, as well as being inspired by what they
are witnessing.
Tickets for the Invictus Games are currently on sale and can be
purchased from £12.85 each.
Photo Credit: Invictus Games 2014.]]>
