Lewis Links Up With Forces

ADRIAN LEWIS is the latest PDC star to visit the Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre.

The Ladbrokes.com World Darts Champion joined up with Colin Lloyd to visit injured British troops at the Surrey-based Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre on Tuesday.

Lewis and Lloyd (below) also performed an exhibition for over 130 seriously-injured servicemen and women, which was also supported by MC John McDonald, referee George Noble and Keith Deller.

"It's a great honour to be helping the troops, as they do so much to help us." said Lewis, after signing a sponsorship deal with Target Darts, who have sent a shipment of darts equipment to forces in Afghanistan.

"I am in awe of the bravery and sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.

"It's humbling to meet fellas who have lost their limbs, and lost their mobility doing their jobs and this is my way of giving them something back.

"I cannot think of anything more rewarding then doing anything that helps improve their lives. It is a pleasure to be involved in such a worthwhile cause."

The Stoke ace hit his second televised a nine-dart finish on the way to reaching the PartyPoker.net European Championship final in Dusseldorf last week, but has praised rival Phil Taylor for his display in winning the decider 11-8, which included a key 164 to take a key 10-8 lead.

"The 164 won him the match and that's the quality of the man," said Lewis. "I thought I played alright in the final, but Phil showed why he's the best.

"In the semi-finals I took out 121 to beat Raymond van Barneveld 11-10 and I thought that shot, to win the match, was bigger than the nine-darter for me, but I wasn't good enough against Phil.

"I've progressed since I've won the world title. I've still got to improve my consistency a little bit and if I do that I think I'll win a few more majors."

Lewis' visit to Headley Court saw him follow in the footsteps of previous visits by Lloyd, James Wade, Mark Dudbridge and Andy Fordham, who have all performed exhibitions for the injured veterans.