And the Free Press is with her all the way as our 'Help Brave Ben' appeal continues to give Doncaster the chance to show our gratitude to our local hero.

Ministry of Defence officials announced last week that Ben - who lost both of his legs in a landmine blast last year and is believed to be one of the most seriously-injured soldiers ever to survive - would receive a revised payment of £285,000 taking into account EACH of his 30-plus injuries, instead of only three.

But while Diane Dernie, of Wheatley Hills, has expressed her gratitude for the improved terms, she may still decide to continue her efforts to help provide long-term security for ALL injured troops and their families.

"Ben's been promised £285,000 and they've agreed to retrospective payments - something we never deemed possible," she said.

"And it's not only Ben but there are quite a few soldiers who are now going to get better payments, so in that respect it is a victory.

"We had hoped they'd put the maximum up but that was always a wish rather than a probability. Our solicitors are currently looking at what we've actually been offered," she added. "It's a case of wait and see now (as to whether the campaign for fairer payouts for seriously injured soldiers continues].

"We were always determined that Ben will come home and we will get some special accommodation for him. This extra money makes a fantastic difference.

"In the long term we would like to see them put up the maximum, but we are wary you could go on for ever."

Mrs Dernie, who will be forced to give up work to look after 23-year-old Ben on a full-time basis, is now busy preparing for her son's trial-visit home next month before his planned return to Doncaster in time for Christmas.

Ben's recovery moved a major step forward yesterday when he was fitted with 'kneelers' allowing him to lift himself independently off the ground just three weeks after doctors said he may never walk again.

But his family face an endless list of domestic modifications and renovations, and last week the Free Press announced our intention to help make things a little easier for them - with your help.

We have teamed up with F.Cross & Son Kia Ltd, of Doncaster Road in Hatfield, to provide Ben's family with a Kia Sedona people carrier - once we reach our target. And fundraising efforts across the town are now starting to gather pace.

Leisure teams in Doncaster have this week declared their interest in joining forces to support our 'Help Brave Ben' appeal.

Representatives from The Dome and the Keepmoat Stadium are set to meet with some of the town's sports clubs to arrange a special fundraising day for Ben.

Gavin Baldwin, chief executive of the Dome and interim chief executive of the Keepmoat Stadium, said: "We are looking at a number of ways we can help to support the Doncaster Free Press in their bid to raise money for Ben. One of the ideas we are developing is working with our sporting and leisure partners to arrange a special fundraising event where members of the Doncaster community can get involved and add their support to the appeal."

There is still plenty of time for your school or business to do their bit for Ben and take part in our Dress Down Day on Friday 26 October. All we are asking is for individuals to donate £1 to the Ben Parkinson fund, set up last month by Yorkshire Bank, for the privilege of ditching their formal wear for the day.

Staff across South Yorkshire Newspapers have already agreed to take part and now we want organisations from all over the borough to get involved.

Anyone interested in organising their own Dress Down Day for Ben should contact us on 01302 347260 for publicity.

* The views of Mayor Martin Winter on whether Ben Parkinson should have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough are likely to be heard on Monday at a full council meeting at the the Mansion House.

He will be responding to a question put to him by Simon Mitchell, of Scawthorpe, who is seeking clarification over the awards and adds: "In view of the grave omission of excluding Britain's most controversial and seriously injured war hero in recent years, soldier Ben Parkinson from Doncaster, I find it outrageous that Mr Parkinson has not figured in the final selection of the six persons about to be conferred with the Freedom of the Borough."


To make a donation to the Benjamin James Parkinson Trust visit the Doncaster branch of Yorkshire Bank on St Sepulchre Gate. Cheques can be made payable to 'Ben Parkinson' or 'Ben Parkinson Trust'. Cheques can be sent to PO Box 17, 19 St Sepulchre Gate, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 1SJ.


If you have a fundraiser planned you can call the Free Press for pictures and publicity on (01302) 347260