We are delighted that Luke has joined our BRIT Ambassador family. After losing both legs whilst serving in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, Luke has focussed on an elite athlete career. Initially competing for Great Britain with the British Para Sailing team, Luke now represents Great Britain with the British Athletics team. A former European Long Jump record holder, Luke is in the top 5 in the world and focussed on being selected to represent Great Britain at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
“Having comes to terms with sustaining catastrophic injuries, working in support of veterans, and training and competing for Great Britain with young athletes, I know that many young adults suffer with mental health challenges. COVID-19 is having an impact on all our lives, however I am mindful that it is compounding existing mental health difficulties faced by many young people, and those who are vulnerable, isolated or who live with disabilities and medical conditions. One in four young people were unable to access the mental health support they needed during the 2020 lockdown and their wellbeing must be looked after now, in order to avoid long-term effects on their mental health. Support from charities is vital to help improve young adult mental health and it is great to see the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) partnering with PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide, Nightline Association, Student Minds and The Charlie Waller Trust, so that all donations raised through the BRIT 2021 Challenge will be shared equally between the five charities. The BRIT 2021 Challenge is offering a UK-wide opportunity for students and young adults to unite wherever they are (at home or on campus) and take part in a fun and feel-good challenge, all while raise vital funds for charities who support young adult mental health; it’s a great way for young adults and students of all abilities to take part in an inclusive activity to improve mental health and fitness. I am also delighted that Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force regulars, reservists and cadets have been invited to enter teams in the challenge to help maintain good mental health and fitness; especially as cadets are unable to take part in team activities whilst restrictions are in place. Every UK university, college and students’ union have been invited to embraces the BRIT 2021 Challenge, enter teams and encourage their students and staff to participate. Every student and young adult can decide how much distance they want to add to their team’s 2,021 mile target and teams have until 1st July 2021 to complete their BRIT 2021 Challenge. I am thrilled to be joining the BRIT Ambassador family and urge fellow Great Britain athletes to join me so that we can have a UK wide impact on improving young adult mental health and fitness. I look forward to encouraging and supporting students and staff at the Guildford College Group and the University of Sussex as they take on the BRIT 2021 Challenge”.
Luke was educated at Rodborough Secondary School and Guildford College. Between 2000 and 2004, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Sussex. After completing Officer Training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Luke commissioned into the Corps of Royal Engineers. For four years, Luke led troops in frontline units on various roles until his injury in November 2011. Following his Medical Evacuation back to the UK, Luke began a four year journey to recover from multiple catastrophic injuries, so he could “walk” back into civilian life.
Only a few months after losing his legs, Luke was back sailing a boat. As a keen sailor, Luke threw himself into a sailing career with the British Para Sailing team, training fulltime out of Weymouth while balancing his rehabilitation at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court. Luke competed in various international events in the 2.4mR and Sonar fleets, managing top finishes while representing Great Britain. This was the beginning of his journey to represent Great Britain at a Paralympic Games. Since 2011, Luke has been a Trustee and Pilot with Flying for Freedom (FFF). He is the first double above knee amputee to qualify as a flew wing pilot. Flying with no adaptations, Luke has become an expert in the world of disabled flight. While maintaining his pilot status, he also takes a leading role in the organisation that gave him his opportunity to be a pilot. Luke leads in the recruiting and training of all new applicants and has helped build FFF into a well-respected organisation.
Luke has been a Board Member of The Veterans Gateway (VG) since 2018. VG is a co-operative project amongst the big Service Charities, MOD and other departments of the British Government, geared up to provide information to the Veteran Community in one place to ensure they get to the right help first time,. Luke has been a member of the Steering Board Group since its conception, representing the veteran community. Luke also Chairs a group of veterans who represent different sections of the veteran community, helping him ensure he champions all veteran’s needs. Following Luke’s life changing injury, he soon took up Para Sport. He joined the British Athletics team as a Blade Runner and Long Jumper and quickly rose to international status, competing at the Invictus Games (winning silver in the 100 metres and gold in the 400 metres), Para Athletics World Championships and European Championships.
Luke, a previous holder of the European Long Jump record, is in the top 5 in the world and is a medal hopeful for the British team at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. To find out more about Luke, please visit his website.