Doncaster hero Ben Parkinson given Freedom of the Borough
The paratrooper is the UK's most injured surviving serviceman after fighting in Afghanistan
Doncaster paratrooper Ben Parkinson - who's the UK's most injured surviving serviceman - has been awarded the freedom of his hometown.
The paratrooper lost both legs and suffered a brain injury in Afghanistan in 2006, and doctors didn’t expect him to survive.
More than a decade on, he walked into a special ceremony at Mansion House to be awarded the Freedom of the Borough.
“There can’t be anything better than recognition from your own hometown,” says his mum Dianne.
“Doncaster’s been behind him every step of the way to get him where he is now.
“One of the things we worried about when he was first injured was how people would react to his injuries, to his speech… we needn’t have worried. To Doncaster, Ben is everybody’s son, everybody’s taken him to their hearts. This has got to go down as one of the proudest days for us.”
Doncaster Borough Council says it wanted to recognise his ‘bravery, fighting spirit and determination in meeting every challenge and adversity he has faced’.
The Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour the authority can give to people who’ve provided exceptional service to their town or boosted its reputation.
Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones says the fact he walked into today’s ceremony show’s how far he’s come in the last few years: “He was using a synthesiser to speak with. He couldn’t sit up because they wouldn’t operate on his back because they didn’t think he’d survive.
“Now look at him – he’s in a small wheelchair, walking around…whether it’s his short legs or his long legs, he’s out there doing it all.
“Locally, nationally and internationally, Ben is a superb young man. He inspires young and old alike. There are also queues to have photographs with him. He’s just a great young man.”
Since Ben was injured, he has set himself a series of challenges to raise money for the Pilgrim Bandits and various military charities and was made an MBE in 2015.
"I am very proud to receive this honour,” he said.
“It means a great deal to me and I am very grateful for all the support that the people of Doncaster have given to me over the years."
In his speech, Ben said Doncaster is ‘the best place in Yorkshire – and Yorkshire’s the best place on earth!'