WOUNDED veteran Andy Perrin not only took scooped up gold for himself while representing the British Armed Forces at paralympic event the Warrior Games in America – he helped a fellow competitor do it too.

But before The former Royal Signals sergeant from Swindon won himself a medal brought home the prize in the men’s open upright cycling race.

But before that, he helped a fellow veteran – blind Lance Corporal Chuck Sketch from Detroit, Michigan – , a former marine, alsocompete by volunteering as his pilot rider and helped to pedal the pair to gold.

Andy said: “I volunteered to be a pilot because I thought I could help. I’ve never used a recumbent bike before but am up for trying anything.

“I enjoy cycling anyway but this was good fun. It’s a different technique using different muscles. I’m the eyes, he’s the power, so it’s all about communication.”

The tandem bike which the pair rode in is part recumbent and part hand cycle. Former marine Chuck was at the back doing the pedalling.

Chuck lost his sight due to a brain tumour and his legs to blood clots. He said: “Andy was fabulous. He’s a strong rider and it was good riding with him.

“It’s the most amazing thing to meet other wounded warriors. I usually ride with a different person every time and everyone seems to catch on quite quickly.”

After completing the 10 kilometre race with Chuck, Andy had barely any time to catch his breath and prepare himself up for his solo race.

Andy said: “I got more back from riding with Chuck than I did in the solo race and we did really well despite starting slowly.

"We had a couple of mechanical issues which meant it was more effort that I’d expected before my solo race.

"But it was a good experience and he’s a really nice guy so I wanted to put that effort in.

“My solo race was really hard. I was knackered and straight away it was obvious there was a game plan with others trying to pull me back.

"I didn’t want to slow the pace down so I managed to drop ones and twos. I managed to close one guy out which left one to sprint out with at the end.

"I did expect the game play and I’m very pleased with the result. I’m really happy to be here at the Warrior Games. Medals aren’t the priority but it’s all a good experience.”

Some 39 British athletes competed in the games alongside 230 of their US peers over 10 days in eight adaptive sports, bringing home a total of 85 medals.

Louise Watson, sports recovery manager at Help For Heroes, which supports the Warrior Games, said: “We’re all so proud of what the team has achieved.

"Sport can help an individual feel psychologically empowered and in control. We’ve seen that first-hand over the competition."

Getting involved in sport or team events can help rebuild confidence and we’d encourage anyone who is wounded, injured or sick and wants to try something new as part of their recovery to get in touch.”

Anyone that is wounded, injured or sick military personnel or veterans and in need of support from Help for Heroes can visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-support.