A hero soldier is set to compete in a sports event for war veterans against the US, despite being shot twice serving in Afghanistan.
Luke Reeson was on a routine foot patrol in Helmand in 2010, when he was shot in the face by Taliban insurgents, breaking his jaw.
Two years later the 25-year-old corporal was hit again, this time by four bullets tearing into his lower body, destroying his left leg.
Hero: Corporal Luke Reeson, 25, has recovered from twice coming under Taliban fire in Afghanistan and is not preparing to compete in a massive sporting event against Britains US allies
On duty: Corporal Reeson, pictured in Afghanistan was shot in the face, breaking his jaw, in 2010 and two years later enemy fire hit him in his legs and groin
Doctors have rebuilt his lower left leg and now Luke is set to compete in the annual Warrior Games in Colorado next month.
The prestigious competition sees British soldiers injured in service pitted against their American counterparts, and this year the UK veterans will be under extra pressure as the event will be attended by Prince Harry.
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Luke's 2010 injury saw him trek two miles back to base in for treatment, earning him a certificate for bravery.
In the second dramatic incident in November, 2012, Luke was leading a group of 20 soldiers securing a helicopter landing site in Helmand when they came under heavy fire.
Two bullets sliced into his backpack, a third into his upper leg and groin; and a fourth into his lower left leg. He was evacuated to a waiting helicopter.
Bravery: Luke received his his certificate of commendation after his first injury which saw him trek two miles with his jaw broken by bullets
Coming back: Luke has been resilient in his recovery and training, supported by girlfriend Rebecca
Doctors have rebuilt his lower left leg and now Luke is set to compete in a massive sporting event against Britain's US allies.
Luke has now been told he can compete in the prestigious Warrior Games in Colorado next month.
He said he will throw himself into swimming contests in the event designed to showcase the resilience and courage of injured British and US soldiers.
Luke, a corporal with the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, from Cumbria, still remembers the enemy bullets.
He said: ‘It's all a bit of a blur but I remember feeling the pain after the bullets hit me and thinking "Not again".
‘The lads did a great job getting me out. They flew me back to Camp Bastion where I had my first operation. Then I was flown back to England and taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Competing: Luke, pictured with his unit in Afghanistan, will travel to the US to take part of the war veteran sporting even next month
‘I've had another five operations to rebuild my leg. I was told to avoid weight-bearing exercise for six months but I'm now walking a bit.
‘I swim every day and I've built a home gym. I'm really looking forward to competing.’
Luke said that he one day hopes to be able to return to the Army because it is a job that he loves.
His girlfriend, Rebecca Sowerby, 22, said: ‘Luke never complains or moans about his injury.
‘He just gets on with it. He could have been totally disheartened but he's determined to make a full recovery. He's grateful that he's still got his legs.’
Since 2010, nearly 200 wounded, ill or injured soldiers and veterans have competed annually at the Warrior Games, a partnership between the Department of Defence and U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympic Military Program.
Athletes compete in sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, swimming, cycling, track and field, archery and competitive shooting.
Luke, a former prop forward with the Titans rugby team in Cockermouth, is organising two matches in Carlisle between his battalion's team and two local teams in Carlisle on June 4 and June 6.