Parents of fallen soldier honoured

THE parents of fallen paratrooper Corporal Mark Wright have been honoured with a national award for their work to help military veterans.

Bob and Jem Wright received the community group award at the Royal British Legion's first ever Friends of the Forces Awards.

They were chosen ahead of contenders from around the country, including a nomination for the town of Wootton Bassett, where residents have repeatedly lined the streets to pay their respects as the bodies of British servicemen are repatriated via nearby RAF Lyneham.

The Wrights received their award at a gala event in London where they also met Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan with the Household Cavalry.

The couple were recognised for setting up the Mark Wright Project Centre in Dalkeith, which offers social, emotional and practical support for those returning from service overseas.

They established the centre after their son died while saving others from a minefield in Afghanistan in 2006, at the age of just 27.

He was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his actions.

The centre offers counselling, advice, a gym, and a welcoming, informal social area where veterans can find friendship and support.

Judges said they were impressed to see how the couple had overcome their grief to create something positive for others suffering the after- effects of war.

Mr Wright said they had been flattered and honoured to receive the award.

He said: "It came as a bit of a shock. We only found out we'd been nominated for the national awards about a week before.

"We still don't know who put us up for it. We were at the regional awards at the Castle a week back, but we didn't know that we'd been shortlisted for the national awards."

They met Prince Harry both before and after the awards ceremony, and Mr Wright said: "We talked to Prince Harry and we gave him a flyer and he was delighted with what we were doing. He was very nice, really down to earth - none of this la-di-da business, a really great guy."

The award winners were chosen by a panel of independent judges chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup.

They received their award from Lt General Sir John Kiszely, National President of The Royal British Legion, who said: "Bob and Jem Wright have responded in extraordinary fashion to deep personal loss.

On behalf of the British Armed Forces, The Royal British Legion would like to say a huge thank you."

Mr Wright added: "This is for all the hard work from all of our team, and all the people who have made the centre possible."