A PITREAVIE AAC member is going for gold as he competes in his second Invictus Games this month.

Michael Mellon will jet off for Australia today (Monday) as he flies the flag for Scotland and the UK in three events.

The dad-of-three is an established athlete with Disability Sport Fife (DSF), and is part of a 72-strong squad set to compete in Sydney.

He won a silver and bronze medal in sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, respectively, last year in Toronto, Canada, but he has his sights set higher when the Games begin again on October 20.

He told Press Sport: "I want to come home with a gold medal.

"Getting silver in the volleyball was fine but watching Georgia receive the gold was a horrendous feeling.

"I think I've placed more pressure on myself this year as I want to go out and grab gold."

The 38-year-old, from Cardenden, has also been selected in the UK's wheelchair rugby squad after being inspired watching them in Toronto.

"It just looked fantastic," he said.

"Training has been intense and there's been a tough learning curve as I've taken part in 10 rugby training camps.

"It's intense and the hits happen at some speed. There's a lot of contact unlike in basketball.

"I've loved being involved with all the lads, having banter and laughs.

"I played rugby from an early age so it's great I'll be able to represent my country."

It was playing rugby for RAF Honington, where he served as a senior aircraftsman, in 2001 when Michael broke his fibula and tibia.

The injuries resulted in compartment syndrome in his lower left leg and, despite 12 operations over several years, he remained in constant pain due to nerve damage, and was medically discharged from the armed forces in 2005.

He suffered from serious depression and, due to ongoing health issues, made the "hardest call" of his life to have his leg amputated in 2013.

However, the operation enabled him to recapture his love for sport and after joining Pitreavie, made him eligible for the Invictus Games.

He said: "The Games really is life-changing.

"I hated life after coming out of the air force. I was feeling very sorry for myself and looking after two kids at the time, it was hard. The Games really made me feel like I had a sense of belonging, and it's been an amazing experience meeting so many inspiring people."

His wife, Deborah, and three kids, Ryan, 12, Eve, 12, and Sarah, seven, are all set to join Michael for his trip Down Under, along with his mum and dad.

"It's going to be a proud moment again," he commented.

"With all the training camps I've attended this year, I think I've only had three weekends since May with my family. That's been tough.

"It'll be amazing to have them support me there."

The Invictus Games is a multi-sport event, open to all wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans.