AN INSPIRATIONAL soldier who lost both legs in an Afghanistan bomb blast has completed a world sporting event.

Lance Corporal Corie Mapp, from Redhouse, came to a flying finish in the World Cup para-bobsleigh event at the Canada Olympic Park, Calgary.

It was the 36-year-old's second time on ice after his history-making win in the first para-bobsleigh World Cup held in Austria last January.

Corie said he felt proud of his achievements at the prestigious event, in which he was supported by charity Help For Heroes Sports Recovery programme.

"Sixth place finish for the first race after a bad second run. Gave it 100 percent so I can leave with my head held high,” he said.

Competing on the world stage was something that almost proved an impossible dream for Corie.

He lost both legs below the knee in an IED bomb blast in 2010 and sustained other injuries including a broken jaw, severed lip and punctured lung, battling back from the brink to become an international sports star.

While recovering Corie discovered the healing power of sport and a talent for seated volleyball.

In 2013 charity Help For Heroes enabled Corie to compete for the UK in America’s Warrior Games where he participated in the seated volleyball team and made firm friends with Prince Harry.

This January he became the first ever World Cup para-bobsleigh winner in Austria and took part in the Invictus Games for wounded, sick or injured armed services personnel.

Louise Watson, Help for Heroes sports recovery manager, said Corie’s steely drive and determination made him stand out from the crowd.

“Corie is a great athlete, he's a real ambassador for the sport. It's fantastic to see him doing so well, he has such focus and dedication he really deserves to be up there leading the pack,” she said.

The father-of-three combines dominating the sports world with regular visits to the Royal British Legion’s Regent Street pop-in centre where he offers advice to veterans. He was also one of the haunting faces of the Poppy Appeal 2015.

Corie will now head to Park City, Utah, for the second and third races of the season on November 21 and 22.

Help for Heroes has been involved with Sports Recovery since 2008, and in the past year have held 300 events across 50 different sports enabling over 2,100 wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans to take part in sports

To find out more about Help for Heroes’ Sports Recovery Programme, and to follow Corie’s progress, visit helpforheroes.org.uk/sports-recovery and follow @H4H_SR on Twitter.

Updates from the event can also be found at ibsf.org/en/races-results/upcoming-events.html