National winners

The Royal British Legion is proud to announce the national winners of the inaugural Friends of the Forces awards.

At a Gala Evening, attended by Prince Harry and hosted by historian and broadcaster Dan Snow, on Tuesday 13 July 2010, awards in four categories and two President's special awards were presented.

Winners were chosen from 450 nominations nationwide by a panel of independent judges, chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup. The awards recognise those from all walks of life across the UK who have made an exceptional contribution to the well-being and appreciation of HM Armed Forces and their families.

President's Award - BBC Radio 1 and BFBS Radio

BBC Radio 1 and BFBS Radio joined forces on Bank Holiday Monday 31 May 2010 for a live link up with listeners in the UK and Service personnel across the globe.

Live segments were broadcast on BBC Radio 1 between 9am and 7pm, with BBC Radio 1 presenters Dev, Fearne Cotton, Greg James and Scott Mills. BFBS presenters Richard Hatch and Jessie Aru anchored the content from the Afghanistan-based station.

Soldiers based abroad had the opportunity to request songs and broadcast messages to friends and family back home.

Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup presented the special President's Award to BBC Radio 1 presenter Fearne Cotton and Richard Hatch of Forces broadcaster BFBS Radio.

President's Award - Tristan Nichols

Tristan Nichols is the Defence Reporter for The Herald in Plymouth. He was invited by the MoD and individual units to cover operations and has reported from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sierra Leone.

He has been shot at, slept in ditches, and endured temperatures from -42 to +49 degrees. He has pioneered the use of head cameras to expand his online coverage of conflicts, and launched an Army appeal in memory of local soldiers which has raised £54,000 to date. He was made an honorary Marine by Plymouth's 42 Commando.

Lt General Sir John Kiszely, National President of The Royal British Legion, presented the second President's Award to Tristan. Read more about Tristan here.

"The media play an important role in supporting our Armed Forces," said Sir John. "Whether BBC Radio 1 and BFBS putting the British public in direct contact with its Armed Forces in Afghanistan, or Tristan Nichols reporting from hazardous conflict situations, they help to raise our awareness and appreciation of what the Armed Forces do on our behalf."

Individual Award - Stanley Power

For over 30 years Mr Power, from Penygraig, Rhondda in Wales, has worked as a volunteer caseworker for a Forces charity and this year he lobbied the Welsh Assembly to ensure that Service families didn't having to pay Council Tax on two properties whilst on Service or living in barracks.

He has also worked to ensure that War Pensions are disregarded fully by the local authority when calculating benefit entitlement and helped to install the Army cadet unit in Treorchy Comprehensive School.

In addition, he gives his time every year to arrange the memorial service at Cwmparc Primary School which was bombed during the war. Read more about Stanley here.

Stanley received his award from Warrant Officer Class One William Mott, Garrison Sergeant Major London District, OBE of the Welsh Guards.

Youth Award - FitzWimarc School, Rayleigh, Essex

Pupils Ben Coombes and Nathan Bull organised a Christmas raffle on behalf of The Poppy Appeal. They approached Harrods for gifts, persuaded their families to donate prizes, and gave up their lunch and break times to sell the tickets, raising an impressive £240.

They followed this up with a Charlie & the Chocolate Factory-themed raffle and decorated the winning box of chocolates themselves, raising about £200.

The FitzWimarc School also built a 'Percy the Poppy Pupil' out of a wooden frame, chicken wire, and 600 poppies. Percy was used to raise awareness around the town, appearing in the local press several times.

The school also held a 'charity day', collecting £1,749.79. Pupils signed the petals of poppies with a message to veterans, and 1,000 of them were made into one giant collage.

Prince Harry presented the Youth award to Ben and Nathan.

Community Group Award - The Mark Wright Project

Founded by Bob and Jem Wright, the Mark Wright Project in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, is dedicated to helping ex-Service men and women, and their families overcome the visible and invisible wounds of war and conflict.

Although devastated by the loss of their only son, Corporal Mark Wright GC, Bob and Jem have sought to achieve something positive out of their tragedy. The Centre at Hardengreen Business Park in Dalkeith has been designed to be homely and welcoming and has a very informal environment. The Centre also has two small counselling rooms, a well equipped gym and a therapy room for massage.

Corporate Award - Welsh Rugby Union

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) allow Forces charities to collect and fundraise during key matches throughout the year, among many other initiatives carried out in recent years as a show of support.

These include the Welsh team sending video messages of support to Serving personnel in Afghanistan during the recent RBS 6 Nations campaign, inviting injured veterans and serving soldiers as special guests of the WRU to Wales international matches and hosting a memorial service and homecoming for the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh at the Millennium Stadium.