Ben returns to the skies 4 yrs on.......

We are extremely proud to announce that on 11th September, just one day short of 4 years since he was wounded, our amazing Patron Ben Parkinson will be performing an incredible full SKYDIVE routine with the team from Jump 4 Heroes in aid of PROJECT 65 - THE VETERANS CHARITY.

On the 9th anniversary of the attacks that sparked the war in Afghanistan which almost cost him his life, Ben, 26,  will leave the aircraft with an instructor 15,000ft over Wiltshire and will have to control his flight to perform a 'docking' manouevre with members of the team. They will then fall at around 120mph as a group before breaking away. Ben will then have to guide the canopy to a (hopefully) smooth landing.

During the last 4 yrs Ben has had to face levels of adversity that most of us cannot imagine. He has been told on numerous occassions that he won't be able to walk again or talk again or even feed or dress himself. But with typical British military determination Ben has never accepted these statements and has worked through gruelling physio and training schedules to rebuild the strength in his back and upper body. Ben has had dozens of operations to correct problems in his spine and his arms as well as having to deal with breathing and speech difficulties. Ben suffered over 40 injuries in a land mine blast on 12th September 2006 including the loss of both legs, fractuires to his spine and neurological damage.

Today Ben's speech is improving every day and with new prosthetic legs and an dedicated and skillful team around him, Ben is beginning to walk again. His recovery is nothing less than miraculous. It is also amongst the most inspiring stories anyone could hear.

Ben has many targets for the future but this skydive is a huge step forward for "the most injured soldier to survive his wounds". You can support Ben's amazing efforts at www.justgiving.com/parkisplatoon