UK And Israel Compete In Pioneering 'The Veteran Games'

The UK contingent includes 57 veterans (Picture: The Veteran Games).

The inaugural Veteran Games and Conference has got underway between the UK and Israel.

The five-day sporting event in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is taking place until 30 May.

It involves more than 100 wounded Armed Forces veterans, competing and trying new sports, as well as learning about how their respective countries provide specialist care for those injured in combat.

The UK contingent includes 57 veterans, as well as 43 partners and 39 children.

The event aims to celebrate the vital roles both sports and family play in physical and emotional rehabilitation.

A three-day conference on mental health is also taking place.

It is focusing on PTSD and recovery, featuring Sir Simon Wessely, consultant advisor in psychiatry to the British Army, and Professor of Psychological Medicine at King’s College London.

The programme is funded by donations from The Patron Charitable Initiatives, The Pears Foundation, Rachel Charitable Trust, The Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation, The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust and The Exilarch's Foundation.

It is supported by leading rehabilitation and forces organisations including The Royal Marines Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund, Rock2Recovery, Veteran Scotland, Combat Stress, The Not Forgotten Association and Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women (AJEX).