Written by Matthew Lodge
21:04 February 28, 2024, Updated 21:08 February 28, 2024
Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at an awards ceremony honoring wounded veterans who were nearly killed in Afghanistan.
The Duke of Sussex delivered a video speech praising Josh Bodge at the annual Sports Give Back Awards in London tonight.
Mr Bodge lost both legs and his right arm when he stepped on an explosive during a national tour and has since taken on the role of community liaison manager for Harry’s Invictus Games Foundation.
The Reading-based charity worker was also hospitalized after a bicycle accident and battled a potentially fatal sepsis infection.
In his speech, the duke said Mr Bodge was a “truly amazing human being” and “an embodiment of resilience” who had bounced back after facing death many times.
Prince Harry’s appearance in court came on the same day he learned he had lost a High Court challenge to the Home Office’s decision to scrap his taxpayer-funded personal security during his visit to the UK.
The event, scheduled to be broadcast on ITV1 next month, saw charity workers being praised for their work in the local community.
Mr. Harry announced that Mr. Bodge has been selected as the recipient of the Unconquered Award for his work through the Invictus Games Foundation in helping injured, wounded and ill military personnel participate in sport.
The Reading-based veteran was seriously injured during his third tour in Afghanistan in 2010 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED), breaking his back and losing both legs and his right arm in the process.
He then took up cycling and now helps others in similar situations by giving them similar opportunities and helping them recover.
Prince Harry said in a video that Bodge was “a truly wonderful human being.”
He said, “You served your country and visited Afghanistan three times. You got blown up, broke your hip, and lost three limbs.”
“You biked across America and won several Invictus Games medals.
“Then you collide with a truck on a steep descent in the Canary Islands, get a flat tire and almost die again. You survive it, but you almost die from sepsis.
“So, what did you do to celebrate? Well, you threw yourself out of a perfectly decent plane over Nepal, not once but twice. Helping people.
“There is no one more deserving in the world. You are the embodiment of resilience. Others, please don’t try this at home.
“Josh, you are the recipient of the Invictus Games Foundation Unconquered Award, congratulations.”
Among the other stars in the Cadogan Hall room tonight were Sir Mo Farah, Dame Kelly Holmes, Frank Lampard and Ellie Symonds, who presented awards to individuals and organizations across the country.
A total of eight charities presented awards tonight, including Dallaglio Rugby Works, Dame Kelly Homes Trust, Greenhouse Sports and Lord’s Taverners.
The inaugural Sports Give Back Awards took place in 2020 and was founded by former international athlete Connie Henry MBE.
She said, “Sport changed my life as a teenager.” It gave me stability, focus, and opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
“When I retired from track and field, I set up Track Academy, a charity supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Brent, where I grew up. Over the past 15 years, we have helped hundreds of students train We have helped them succeed at home and abroad.”
She went on to say, “Back in 2019, we realized that there was no platform where we could shout out about the great work that charities and organizations like ours do through sport. We decided to create Sport Gives Back to celebrate those who rely on sport.”
- The Sports Gives Back Awards will be broadcast on ITV1 on Sunday 24th March.