In support of the work of the services, British Cycling will offer a Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Cycling and a Level 2 Coaching Riders with Disability course for members of staff from Help for Heroes who deliver the Battle Back programme, which uses adaptive sport and adventurous training to help seriously wounded Service personnel lead active, independent and fulfilling lives.

British Cycling director of coaching, education and development John Mills said: "The aim of the initiative is to support the instructors at Help for Heroes and help them to develop their ability to coach cycling as part of the recovery programme for wounded service personnel.

"Sport can play a key role in aiding the recovery of our heroes and we are proud to work with the Battle Back programme, which has made a real difference to the lives of so many."

Since the formation of the Battle Back programme in 2008, Help for Heroes has helped over 1,500 wounded, sick and injured personnel rehabilitate through sports such as cycling, sailing and swimming.

Help for Heroes lead strength and conditioning coach Jon Paul Nevin said: "Cycling has a proven track record as an excellent recovery activity for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel.

Jon-Allan Butterworth, who lost his arm in service in 2007, won three Paralympic silver medals in London just five years later 

Just one year on from losing his arm during service in Basra, Jon-Allan Butterworth took part in the first Help for Heroes Ride, and he subsequently attended a selection weekend and joined the Para-cycling talent programme in April 2009.

Since then, he has gone on to become a world champion, a world record holder, and win three silver medals in front of a home crowd at last summer's Paralympic Games in London.

Butterworth said: "Programmes like Battle Back are absolutely vital and it is great to see British Cycling strengthening the skills of the instructors, who play such an important role in helping our heroes to recover.

"Battle Back encourages servicemen to overcome and embrace new challenges in life - something I would have struggled to do without cycling and the support of my coach."

Help for Heroes also recently developed a close working partnership with the British Paralympic Association, actively searching out wounded service personnel that show a flair for a certain sport or the desire to become involved in sport, through the Frontline to Startline initiative.

To find out more about the coaching courses available, click here. 

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