A BARNSLEY army veteran has committed to helping other ex-servicemen and women who may be struggling since leaving the armed forces through sport.

Caroline Buckle, 45, from Wombwell, served in the army for 17-and-a-half years and took part in a number of tours of Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Her postings included Kenya, Germany and Cyprus.

She was discharged in 2014 after injuring her leg and suffering from anxiety and depression.

She says the Royal British Legion has been instrumental in her recovery and has assisted her in adapting to civilian life.

Thanks to the support of veterans’ charity Help for Heroes, she has achieved coaching qualifications - and will be supporting other veterans who participate in this year’s Community Sports Series.

She has also gone on to represent England at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in South Africa and received a Proud of Barnsley award in October last year.

Caroline said: “I am proof that even those with physical injuries as a result of their service can get on and achieve something.

“I’ve done many sporting activities with Help for Heroes, and I’ve achieved coaching qualifications with their Coaching Academy, so that I can now coach powerlifting and indoor rowing at Community Sports Series events.

“Now I can help other members of the Armed Forces community get involved in sports, keep active and find their confidence again.”

Last year, more than 200 ex-serving personnel and their families were introduced to multiple sports at the fully accessible Community Sports Series events, ranging from powerlifting and pickleball, wheelchair basketball and walking rugby, to badminton and boccia.

Caroline added: “People travel from all over the country to participate in the Community Sports Series.

“Places are fully funded by the charity, which is great.

“And this year, we’re kicking off in Liverpool with an event specifically for female veterans.

“By the end of a Sports Series weekend, people will have come out of themselves a bit and will be engaging within the group.

“By becoming a coach, I can pay it forward; I am able to say ‘thank you’ to Help for Heroes by coming along and helping others.

“When someone says ‘I can do this’ the feeling is priceless.

“It makes me proud that I am a very small part of that, and seeing them grow in confidence is just awesome.

“This is why I love sports.”

This year the six Community Sports Series events are being sponsored by Cotton Traders.

The British clothing retailer is/ the UK’s leading military charity’s longest-standing partner raising almost £2m since 2011.

Events confirmed so far will be taking place in Liverpool, Cardiff, Inverclyde and Birmingham, with venues for two more events to be confirmed soon.

For more information about the Community Sports Series, visit the Help for Heroes website.