Medal joy for Laura
Four golds in pool
A former army captain has returned from the Warrior Games with an impressive medal haul.
Laura Fermor, who lives in Spittalfield, scooped four golds and one silver medal after competing for Britain at the event for injured ex-servicemen and women in Chicago.
The 34-year-old served for seven years as a captain in the Royal Logistics Corps but was forced to medically retire in 2013 after receiving life-changing injuries.
In 2008 Laura was left needing bilateral hip replacements and still lives with secondary injuries in her knees, which she has also had surgery on.
She won gold medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle and the 50m backstroke in the pool to add to her seated shot put gold medal. She went on to compete in the relay swim team, who came away with silver medals.
Laura said: “I won four golds and silver medal which I was absolutely delighted with. I went to the Warrior Games not expecting to win anything but with a secret hope that I could.
“It was fantastic to be back in the military fold again and to meet some truly inspirational people. The atmosphere was one of elation and mutual support.
“I put 100 per cent into each event, which wasn’t always easy to manage with my pain levels. I had to put my pain aside to fight through it but the medal made it all worthwhile.”
She continued: “I am so proud of everything I have achieved and it shows me how far I have come in just six months since I began training in January.
“The medals I have brought home have made the nine years since my injury, all the surgeries and pain worth enduring.”
Laura has gone back to her rigorous training regime as she hopes to go to the Invictus Games 2018 trials in Sydney, Australia.
Martin Colclough, head of sports recovery at the charity Help For Heroes, said: “We know how important sport is as part of an individual’s recovery.
“Not only does it help physically, it provides huge psychological benefits too including improving selfconfidence and self-esteem.
“We are delighted with Laura’s fantastic achievements in the Warrior Games. All her hard work has paid off and we look forward to supporting her as she continues her training to trial for the 2018 Invictus Games.