A TEAM of spinal injury patients from Salisbury have set their sights on defending their title at the 2016 Inter Spinal Unit Games.

The team of 12 from the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre at Salisbury District Hospital will be competing in event from April 12-14.

It is widely recognised as the flagship event for spinal injury centres across the UK and Ireland, and the games introduces wheelchair sport to recently paralysed people.

Held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, for many participants the Games are the first trip away from hospital after the long journey of rehabilitation.

Salisbury were crowned the champions in 2015, with Andy Guy winning gold medals at table tennis, archery, swimming and 9 Ball pool.

Sallyanne Haigh, 42, will be representing Salisbury after a horse riding accident in October last year.

She said: “I am really looking forward to trying lots of different sports. I have tried wheelchair rugby and enjoyed swimming. I hope to be able to shine in the pool and would love to represent my country in future sports in either riding/dressage or swimming. I really can’t wait to meet lots of other individuals in the same situation.”

The Inter Spinal Unit Games is organised by WheelPower, the national charity of wheelchair sport.

WheelPower’s Sport Development Officer Stewart Jeeves said: “The Inter Spinal Unit Games are a unique opportunity for people with a spinal cord injury to experience the range of sport and accessible activities that are available to them.

“People who have had their lives changed after a traumatic injury or illness enjoy a week long experience and benefit from the guidance of leading wheelchair sport coaches and athletes.”

“Sport and exercise is an essential part of rehabilitation, it also gives great social interaction and a confidence boost to people after a spinal cord injury.”

The Inter Spinal Unit Games will welcome over 90 participants from 14 spinal injury centres.