Prince William and Prince Harry pay tribute after death of Help for Heroes founder Bryn Parry

Virgin Radio

13 Apr 2023, 14:14

A 'deeply sad' Prince William and Prince Harry have paid tribute to 'inspirational' charity co-founder Bryn Parry after the sad news he has died, aged 67, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

The Prince of Wales wrote on Twitter about the Help for Heroes co-founder who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in January 2023: "Deeply sad to hear that Bryn Parry has passed away. A life-affirming, inspirational man, his work with Help for Heroes made a difference to so many and his legacy will be its continuing impact. My thoughts are with his family and friends. W."

The Duke of Sussex also paid tribute to the father-of-two via his Invictus Games Foundation and penned: "Today is a truly sad day for the military community as we bid farewell to a man who, alongside his wife, completely transformed the UK charity sector for the benefit of those who have served.

"His vision, determination and brilliance provided a lifeline for thousands of veterans, as well as their families, when they needed it most.

"Those that come after him will always be better off because of his actions. Bryn Parry, we salute you!

"Thank you from all of us for the lives saved, the support given and the community inspired.

"Your legacy lives on through Help for Heroes. Our love and respect will remain with your family."

Help for Heroes chief executive James Needham said: "Everyone at Help for Heroes is deeply saddened by the death of our co-founder Bryn Parry CBE.

"Without Bryn, this charity wouldn't be here. Without him, over 27,000 veterans and their families wouldn't have received life-changing support.

"Bryn was instrumental in changing the focus of the nation and the way we regard both military service and wounded veterans.

"Those who knew and worked with Bryn saw at his core an incredibly kind, earnest, and passionate soul, whose energy was contagious.

"Supported, encouraged and advised by Emma, he was unstinting in his total, unwavering commitment to making the lot of the wounded servicemen and women as good as it could be.

"Bryn's founding principles and his no-nonsense approach of doing everything humanly possible to help our heroes, remain at the heart of all we do."

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer MP said: "My heart goes out to Emma and the family.

"At a time when the nation's deficit of veterans care was so ruthlessly exposed by those men and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bryn and Emma stepped up, founded Help for Heroes, and single handedly revolutionised veterans care in the United Kingdom.

"Their place in history will never fade; what they started has continued to echo years later.

"He inspired me with his unapologetic determination to do right by these special men and women who serve. He will never be forgotten."

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