A woman from Gloucestershire who served with the Royal Air Force for eight years wants to encourage other women who served to try adaptive sports.

Debbie Cooper-Jones, who is 57 and from Hucclecote, wanted to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, Thomas Gwyn Mullet, who also served in the RAF during Second World War.

Debbie served as a dental officer in Norfolk, Scotland and Germany in the 1990s, before leaving to start a family.

Sadly, Debbie ended up in hospital in 2020 during the Covid pandemic due to mental ill-health. It was during this time that Debbie was introduced to the Help for Heroes services which have supported her recovery.

Debbie, who now has mobility problems due to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis, said: “I recently attended the charity’s Sports Series event in Liverpool, which was a women-only event.

“Exercise and being active have really helped me to manage my physical and mental health challenges and I want to encourage other women who have served like me to have a go.

“The atmosphere at the Sports Series was so inclusive and it helped to show me the possibilities of what anyone can do. It wasn’t competitive and focused on helping to develop skills.”

There are more than 36,900 veterans living in the Gloucestershire area and Debbie, who is also a champion for accessible cycling, feels more could benefit from adaptive sports.

Sports Series events are part of Help for Heroes' recovery programme and offer the chance to try a range of adaptive sports including netball, boccia, walking rugby, wheelchair rugby and basketball, yoga, rowing and powerlifting.

Many people join the armed forces because they enjoy being active and taking part in sport but when they leave that outlet can be taken away from them.

Being physically active can also help manage pain from injuries and improve mental health. The Sports Series events are supported by national sporting bodies and the aim is to give people a taste of adaptive sports and introduce them to local clubs.

Debbie added: “People travel from all over the country to take part in these events and if they are anything like me, they will go home feeling positive and energised. The fact that costs of travel, accommodation and food are all covered is a massive plus for people.”

There is a programme of six Community Sports Series events for 2025 which take place all over the UK and are open to veterans and their families, from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service.

For more information, go to www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/sports-social-activities