Mauchline will have representation in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as local lad and former Mauchline Bowling Club player Garry Hood lines up for Team Scotland.

Garry’s appearance at this year’s event will come 28 years after he last represented his country at the Games, when he finished seventh in the men’s fours in Victoria in 1994, playing alongside the legendary Willie Wood.

Now playing his bowls at Craigie Bowling Club in Ayr, Garry has had quite a journey since his last appearance.

The 61-year-old was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a condition when your body’s immune system attacks your nerves, in 2015.

The condition then attacked Garry’s respiratory system and he ended up on a life support machine.

After spending 11 months in hospital, Garry then had rehab and spent 15 months in a wheelchair.

Almost four years ago, Garry turned to para bowls, and then shortly after he was invited into the Bowls Scotland’s high performance paralympic squad – setting him on the road for a remarkable Games return.

Garry originally took up bowls in attempt to strengthen one of his eyes, after losing one of them in a classroom accident when he was just 15 years old.

Looking back on his journey, and looking ahead to his upcoming appearance, Garry has always been hopeful that his story can encourage others.

He said: “I’m always in a lot of pain, and I still need a crutch to walk, but I’m determined not to let it get the better of me.

“There’s a lot of pain and stress involved as well, but I’m very determined. I can’t believe I’ve been picked to go back to the Games.

“I hope something like this can show people with other conditions that it doesn’t have to be the end of the world and there is still a life to live beyond that. I’m so grateful for the support I’ve had throughout my journey, it’s really meant a lot.

“It will be an unbelievable experience to be going back to represent Scotland.

“After all these years, it’s never something that I thought would be possible again, especially after what I’d gone through. I hope it can be a successful summer.”

The Games begin on July 28.