Olympic Torch hero Ben Parkinson inspires Goole scouts
An inspirational war hero who suffered horrific injuries on patrol in Afghanistan met scouts in Goole.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson (27), lost both legs, broke his back and suffered brain damage in a Taliban bomb explosion in 2006.
-
Ben Parkinson, centre, with scout leader Mark Penn, Councillor Shirley Marshall and her husband Frank.
Despite spending three months unconscious in a military hospital, he learned to walk again and became a symbol of the Olympic spirit last summer when thousands watched him carry the Olympic Torch through his home town of Doncaster.
Ben was in town on Monday to visit the 1st Goole Scout Group.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
He brought along his Olympic Torch and a championship belt presented to him by boxer Mike Tyson.
The visit was arranged by scout leader Mark Penn.
He said: "We were delighted to welcome Ben to Goole to meet our scouts. The children loved having him here.
"They had the chance to ask him questions and talked about Remembrance Sunday and Afghanistan. It was a fantastic evening."
Ben helped children pack shoeboxes to send to troops in Afghanistan as part of the Adopt A Troop campaign, run by town councillor Shirley Marshall and her husband Frank.
Since 2009, the couple have dispatched more than 1,370 parcels to troops all over the world.
Coun Marshall said: "We are hoping to hit the 1,500 mark by Christmas and we were delighted to be invited here tonight to meet Ben. He is such an inspiration."
Ben was accompanied to the event by his mum Diane. She said: "Ben loves events like this. He goes to at least three children's groups or schools every week all over the country.
"The kids have been brilliant."
Comments
by notrequired
Wednesday, October 24 2012, 2:00PM
“Why cant I find this in the actual paper. is it because this happened in Goole and therefore not applicable to Hull, But last time I heard Goole was in the east riding, so it should have been printed.”