After Neil's RAF career as a Senior Aircraftsman Technician was cut short due to a serious leg injury, we're supporting him to join Team UK at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Neil Fellingham served for over 12 years in the RAF as a Senior Aircraftsman Technician, working on aircraft such as the Tornado.
He was passionate about serving in the military and loved his job. However, his career was cut short after he sustained a serious leg break when he was run over by a car he was helping to repair.
“Reflecting on my time in the military now, it was so beneficial because I learned so much about myself. But I think the biggest thing for me was all of my friends made every single minute of my time in the military the best."
Whilst serving in the RAF, Neil made many incredible memories. From the camaraderie with fellow servicemen to the sense of belonging that came from being part of a team, each experience helped shaped him.
“I got to work with some incredible people, both higher up the chain of command as well as friends and colleagues of similar rank. I picked up things I never thought I would learn.”
“I've struggled a lot and I haven't really moved from my house since the start of the first COVID lockdown."
In August 2018 Neil was helping to repair a car when, without his knowledge, the vehicle was started up and knocked into gear.
"I attempted to jump up and get out of the way but unfortunately I was dragged underneath the car and snapped my tibia just below my left knee."
What followed was a long journey of recovery, during which it would be discovered that Neil had a neuroma growing inside his leg. As a result, he now lives with complex regional pain syndrome.
"Unfortunately, it looks like a lot of my leg is deteriorating significantly. It's progressively getting worse.
"In the long term my surgical team have agreed that amputation is the best option to give me better mobility and an improved quality of life, which is all I want. I want to be more mobile, to be able to do more stuff."
Journey to recovery
With his injury and ongoing mobility issues, Neil has struggled to do things he previously enjoyed.
"The next step will be to have a spinal stimulator fitted which will help me control some of the nerve pain going down my leg."
Neil hopes this will help him to reduce the amount of medication he is on, which currently causes brain fog.
Attending training camps for the Games has been a pivotal moment in his recovery journey.
"I had a mentor who encouraged me that it's time to start going back to who I was.
"I can't describe it as anything other than just feeling safe and reassured. Everybody was just so kind and I needed that because I was in a very bad place mentally."
His friends and family have been his greatest source of motivation, including his wife Lauren who has acted as his biggest advocate.
"Giving them a chance to be proud of me again is something that I long for. "
Competing with Team UK
In 2025 Neil will join Team UK at the Invictus Games in Canada, competing in adaptive sports including Wheelchair Basketball and Alpine Skiing.
He hopes the Games will help him regain physical abilities and return to activities he once enjoyed, while also helping him envision what his future might look like.
"I was first encouraged to apply by Dave Rose – a mentor I met through the RAF Benevolent Fund. He told me about the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf and I said that sounds amazing.
"It’s because of him that I tried, it's because of him that I applied but I never expected to get anywhere! But here I am today - just absolutely buzzing."
Finding purpose
To Neil, being selected for Team UK means everything, and signifies a reason to keep going.
"For me it’s about purpose and drive.
"Something I really miss from my military career is being part of a team where I feel I can be helpful – that’s a part of me I feel I’ve lost since my injury.”
His wife Lauren and daughter Poppy will be there to support him at the Games, and their presence means the world to him.
“They're my reason for trying to better myself because I want to be here for them.
"I genuinely can't wait to get going and meet everyone.”
The team has been training at the RBL’s Battle
Back Centre in Lilleshall, where adaptive sports and adventure activities are
used to boost confidence and improve mental health and wellbeing.
This is the second year the RBL, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, will be responsible for bringing the team, along with their families and friends, to the Games.
Access to adaptive sports and the chance to
compete in the Invictus Games are just some of the ways the RBL supports the
wounded, injured, and sick in the Armed Forces
community. This helps individuals in their recovery, whether returning
to Service duty or making a smooth transition to civilian life.
-fisher-invictus-300423-1060b10d3c-0b23-449f-ad2d-bd41946af4fd.png?sfvrsn=5182b629_5&method=CropCropArguments&width=452&height=452 "Titilia (Tilly) Fisher Invictus 300423 10")
