Veteran honoured for charity work for ex-military

The celebratory artwork incorporating the faces of seven charity bosses including Ed Parker (far right) appear to float on water in St James's Park in London

A veteran who helped start a charity for ex-soldiers after his nephew lost his legs while serving in Afghanistan, has had his contribution to society celebrated through an art installation.

Ed Parker founded the Norfolk-based veteran's charity, Walking with the Wounded, which provides help to ex-service personnel and their families.

Mr Parker was one of seven people dubbed as "community game changers" by the the National Lottery, which supports the charity.

The group were honoured through artwork created by Luis Gomez De Teran, which has been installed in St James's Park, London, to mark the National Lottery's 30th birthday.

Ed Parker set up a charity to support wounded military veterans and is being recognised in an artwork to mark the National Lottery’s 30th birthday

Mr Parker, a former soldier, said Walking with the Wounded was started after his nephew Harry stepped on an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province in July 2009 and lost both of his legs.

"Visiting him in hospital felt brutal," he said.

"However, the mood among all of these young people in hospital was one of resolve and determination, and I strongly felt that this was the story that should be told.

“We set up Walking with the Wounded to provide support to the veteran community and those who have fallen the furthest through the societal cracks."

The charity provides programmes to help support ex-service personnel and their families, by helping them gain employment and deal with any mental health and wellbeing issues as they adjust to civilian life after an injury.

The art installation was created by graffiti artist Luis Gomez De Teran