Ben to be VIP guest at charity Burns Night event

A WAR hero will be the guest of honour at a Rotherham charity event in which one of the world’s top marching bands will parade through the town.

Amputee soldier Ben Parkinson will join a community effort to raise money for injured veterans at Burns Night celebrations set to include the Band of the Scots Guards and a black tie gala dinner at the Magna Centre.

It is hoped that the day-long event on Saturday, January 21, will bring thousands of visitors into Rotherham.

Organiser Nick Cragg said: “It is a real honour to have Ben as a special guest on the night.

“Not only will the day be a chance to celebrate Burns Night in an event that’s truly unique to Rotherham, it will also raise much-needed funds for war heroes like Ben.”

Lance Bombardier Parkinson, of 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery, lost both legs and suffered brain damage when his Land Rover was hit by an improvised roadside bomb in September, 2006.

He can now walk short distances on prosthetic limbs and his speech\_completely lost following the explosion\_is returning.

He has also raised almost £30,000 for the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association.

There will be a ceremonial unveiling of a competition-winning mural to celebrate the event, as part of Rotherham’s Gallery Town initiative.

This will be followed by a Burns Night celebration at the Magna Centre, Rotherham, from 7pm to 1am, with a black tie gala dinner featuring the Scots Guards marching band, pipes and drums.

Gary Verity, chief executive of tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “This is set to be terrific for Rotherham and for Yorkshire.”

The Magna event is being run by development charity PHASE Worldwide. All money raised will be shared between PHASE and The Scots Guards Colonel’s Fund, which supports injured Guardsmen.

Tickets are £70 each and corporate sponsorship packages are also available. For more information contact PHASE on 07774 223 228 or email [email protected].