Derek Derenalagi to become Patron of Watford Workshop

Paralympian and Invictus Games medal winner Derek Derenalagi is to become a Patron of Watford Workshop.

Now based at Century Retail Park, Dalton Way, Watford, and established more than 50 years ago, Watford Workshop is a registered charity that provides Work Experience, Skills Training and Employment for disabled and disadvantaged people, helping them to achieve greater independence, become more integrated into the community and where possible move them on to mainstream employment.

Chairman of Watford Workshop Gordon Sellers said: "Everybody at Watford Workshop has been greatly admiring Derek's incredible achievements for some time.

"Four of us were able to go and support him at last year's Invictus Games organised by Prince Harry, cheering wildly as Derek won two Gold Medals and one Silver.

"We were most impressed that he accepted to be the keynote speaker at the Watford Chamber Festive Breakfast where Watford Workshop was the designated charity and we are now proud to welcome him as one of our Patrons."

Lance Corporal Derek Derenalagi, a native Fijian, joined the British Army in 1999. In July 2007, whilst on tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, his life changed forever when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) and he lost both his legs above the knee.

Five years on, Derek entered the London 2012 Olympic stadium as a Team GB Paralympian.

After winning three medals at the Invictus Games, Derek has now set his sights on Rio and is training for 2016.