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'I was scared to leave town - now I'm in Team UK'

Shivani Chaudhari
BBC News, Essex
Royal British Legion A woman is smiling at the camera and has headphones around her neck. She has very short blonde hair and glasses. She is wearing a blue top. There is a man with a beard standing a few feet behind her talking to someone else. Royal British Legion
Sara Howarth, 51, said she was excited ahead of the games' start

A RAF veteran who suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm has overcome her fear of leaving her hometown to represent Team UK at the upcoming Invictus Games.

Sara Howarth, 51, had been serving in the RAF for 17 years but in 2014 her brain injury left her with uncontrollable epilepsy, speech difficulties and a fear of exercise.

However, Miss Howarth, of Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, has been training with the Royal British Legion (RBL) since July and is set to compete at the games, which start in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, on Sunday.

Despite her condition and anxiety about the effects of exercise on her recovery, she is set to compete in wheelchair curling, alpine skiing, and indoor rowing.

Royal British Legion A woman with short blonde hair wearing gym gear has headphones around her neck. She is sitting on a rowing machine at the gym.Royal British Legion
Miss Howarth said she had been training with RBL since July 2024

The Invictus Games, a multi-sport competition for wounded or sick military personnel and veterans, was founded by Prince Harry.

Miss Howarth, who will set off for Canada on Thursday, said: "I was scared of trains, traveling; I was scared of leaving Burnham, and that was my life.

"It's been 10 years since my brain exploded and I have had various challenges through that, including speech, which is still a bit dodgy. The second one was epilepsy, which is still uncontrollable."

The former flight-lieutenant said her career was inspired by her father, who also served.

Miss Howarth said she convinced herself she would not be selected for the week-long games, so being chosen to compete was a "bit of a wow moment."

Royal British Legion A group of people all smiling at the camera at the bottom of an artificial indooer ski slope. Some people are in wheelchairs. Royal British Legion
The Invictus Games is a international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both current and former

Miss Howarth told BBC Essex: "I feel excited; it is also very scary.

"The RBL's approach has not been about medals, it's about the journey getting there.

"It has been a huge journey for me. I was scared to get on a rowing machine, I couldn't remember skiing and wheelchair curling is absolutely superb; it's like chess on ice.

"I feel like a new person, if that makes sense. I've got a brilliant coach.

"It's not about your speed and whether you get down the mountain first; it's about why you're there."

The RBL is a charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependents.

It has also provided funding and facilitates Team UK at the Games.

Lou Assioun, Team UK manager at the RBL, said Miss Howarth was someone who "doesn't mind stretching their comfort zone and trusting the process".

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