AN airman from North Yorkshire's front-line fighter base will be facing one of his toughest battles yet in the summer - when he competes in the Commonwealth Games.
Corporal Simon Gaines, who is based at RAF Leeming, has been selected to represent the Isle of Man at badminton in the games, to be held in Manchester.
Cpl Gaines has benefited from an RAF Sports Lottery grant, which has enabled him to receive extra coaching from one of the senior coaches in England.
Cpl Gaines joined the air force in March 1987 and is currently part of Leeming's mechanical components flight. He lives with his partner and daughter in Sedgefield, County Durham.
He started playing badminton at an early age, playing in junior tournaments and competing at country level at the age of 16.
He has played for the RAF for the past 13 years and during that time has won the singles title five times, the men's doubles twice and mixed doubles once.
He has also represented the Combined Services for 11 years, winning the singles three times, men's doubles five times and mixed doubles once.
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