AN INJURED former serviceman is set to join 14 others to take part in an adaptive surfing programme run by Help for Heroes.

Ashley Coles, 28, from Tadley is a former rifleman who had a car accident in 2010 and was subsequently medically discharged in 2013.

Now he has made the journey this week to Watergate Bay in Cornwall to take part in a week-long programme, running from September 11-16.

Op Surf UK is designed to provide an environment where individuals work to overcome perceived limitations of their physical and psychological disabilities.

The programme aims to use surfing as a rehabilitation and recovery activity.

The initiative is run by Help for Heroes and supported by the Endeavour Fund and Amazing Surf Adventures.

The 28-year-old said he was looking forward to being around like-minded individuals, as well as taking part in something he has never done before.

Mr Coles said: “Leaving the military means you also have to leave a family.

“Being around comrades again and experiencing a new challenge such as Op Surf UK is an amazing opportunity and something which will really help me on my journey to recovery.”

Adaptive surfing is being taught by word-class instructors, who are being joined by a number of professional surfers including big-wave surfer Andrew Cotton – best known for towing the American surfer Garrett McNamara.

As well as the adaptive surfing lessons, there will also be opportunity to advance individual experiences by attending workshops about employment and life after the military.

This initiative joins 450 events in the past year which have been set up by Help for Heroes to enable wounded, injured and sick service personnel to take part in adaptive sports.

The Endeavour Fund is designed to allow serviceman and woman to have an opportunity to rediscover their self-belief, it is managed by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

In previous years many of the injured servicemen and women have said how the programme has had positive impact on their wellbeing and many have continued their love of surfing after the programme.