Tom Folwell

Tom Folwell is a former Sapper who served in the British Army from 2003 until 2015, before his life changed dramatically during a foot patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where he stepped on an IED and sustained severe, life‑altering injuries, including the loss of both legs.

His evacuation and early recovery were further complicated by a blood clot and, later, the onset of sleep apnoea, but it was through adaptive sport that Tom found renewed direction and a sense of momentum in rebuilding his life. He went on to represent Team UK at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, captaining the wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball squads and competing in sitting volleyball, fully embracing both the challenge and the shared solidarity that the Games environment fosters. Since then, Tom has continued to engage with the Invictus community, taking part in Powered by Invictus virtual leagues and using these opportunities to keep developing, stay connected, and rediscover confidence after injury. He credits the Invictus pathway with helping him move forward, reminding him of the importance of staying active, learning new skills, and reconnecting with others as part of his ongoing recovery.