But as the world marks the first anniversary of the terror attack, Mr Patel is doing his best to put it behind him.

Mr Patel, a 30-year-old chartered surveyor, was in the Leopold Cafe when it was sprayed with bullets by two gunmen.

He was hit in the legs and chest and feared for his life as people were shot dead around him and blood was spattered across the walls.

But the keen athlete is again competing in distance running races and triathlons and says he is feeling good.

Mr Patel, who lives in Havant, said: 'There is nothing I can do about what's happened in the past and, as much as possible, I have drawn a line under it and I'm moving on.

'For me, that is the best way of dealing with it. Emotionally, I'm as strong as ever and I'm just focusing on moving forward and things are coming together.

'Everything is good at the moment.'

Almost 180 people died when Pakistani militants launched a string of carefully-planned attacks in Mumbai, India's financial and film capital.

On Thursday the former Oaklands School pupil rubbed shoulders with Bollywood stars at a fundraising gala at Kensington Palace for victims of the what has become known as 26/11 in India.

Prince Michael of Kent also attended the red-carpet event in aid of the DVK Foundation set up to support victims of terrorism around the world.

'They pulled out all the stops,' said Mr Patel.

'It was very much an upbeat evening and really that has been the mentality in India. They have bounced back.'

Mr Patel says the support of family and friends got him back on his feet, and he amazed himself with successes in the Bupa Great South Run, Solent half-marathon and Gosport half-marathon.

And he has qualified for a preferential place in the Paris half-marathon and will run the London Marathon for the Red Cross next year.
He is now back running half-marathons.