Prince Charles Honors Members Of The British Armed Forces

Britain's Prince Charles honored members of the British armed forces at a star-studded awards ceremony last night. The Prince of Wales presented awards at the inaugural Sun Millies ceremony - staged by Britain's The Sun newspaper - held at Surrey's Hampton Court Palace to recognize the vital work done by the country's armed forces.

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Lance-Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who lost both his legs and fractured his skull in five places while under attack in Afghanistan, received the Overcoming Adversity award for his campaign to win greater compensation for injured soldiers and determination to learn to walk again.

Accepting the award, he said: "I would like to dedicate this award to Captain Jim Philippson, Captain Alex Eida and all the lads who haven't had the chance I've had."

Ben's colleagues were killed in action during the same tour of Helmand province in Afghanistan which he was wounded on.

Ben's proud mum said: "Ben never admits he's tired or anything hurts."

"He just keeps on and on, getting better that little bit every day. He won't sit in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He wants to keep working. He's a soldier - and that's the way he'll always be."

But heroic soldiers weren't the only ones recognized at the ceremony. Christine Bonner - whose son Darren was killed in Afghanistan - received a Special Recognition award for her sponsored marathon walk that raised money for the armed services.

The 52-year-old was so excited to receive the award she ignored royal protocol, hugging the prince and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, as they presented her with her award.

She said: "I was going to shake the prince's hand but then I thought, 'What the heck!' Last time I saw the prince I got him to sponsor me. I'll take his wife on the next walk."