Prince Harry makes surprise appearance by video at London event to honour charity hero just hours after losing High Court security battle with the Home Office

Prince Harry has made a surprise appearance at an awards show to honour a wounded veteran who was nearly killed in Afghanistan.

The Duke of Sussex supplied a video speech heaping praise on Josh Boggi at the annual Sports Gives Back Awards in London tonight.

Mr Boggi lost both his legs and his right arm when stepping on an explosive device during a tour of the country, and since then has taken up the role of community liaison manager at Harry’s Invictus Games Foundation.

The Reading-based charity worker has also been hospitalised following a cycling incident and fought through a potentially fatal sepsis infection. 

In his speech the Duke said Mr Boggi was a ‘truly remarkable human’ and the ‘personification of resilience’ for bouncing back after numerous brushes with death.

Josh Boggi received the Invictus Games Foundations Unconquered award on Wednesday, February 28

Josh Boggi pictured during his time serving in the Army in Afghanistan before he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device

Harry’s appearance came the same day he found out he has lost a High Court challenge against the Home Office’s decision to scrap his taxpayer-funded personal security when he visits Britain.

The event, which will be broadcast on ITV1 next month, saw charity workers honoured for the work they do in their communities.

Harry announced that Mr Boggi had been chosen as the winner of the Unconquered award for his work helping wounded, injured and sick armed forces personnel get into sport through the Invictus Games Foundation.

The Reading-based veteran was severely wounded after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) during his third tour of Afghanistan in 2010, breaking his back and losing both legs and his right arm in the process.

Afterwards he took up cycling and now helps others in similar situations by giving them similar opportunities and aid their recovery

Speaking via video, Prince Harry said Mr Boggi was ‘a truly remarkable human’.

He said: ‘You served your country and completely three tours of Afghanistan. You were blown up, suffering a broken back and the loss of three limbs. 

‘You cycled across America and won several Invictus Games medals. 

‘You then nearly died again after suffering a blowout on a fast downhill when you collided with a truck in the Canary Islands. You survived that and then sepsis nearly took your life. 

‘So what did you do to celebrate? Well, you threw yourself out of a perfectly decent airplane not once, but twice, over Nepal because you could. You volunteer at your football club and are always helping others. 

‘There is no one in the world who deserves this more. You are the personification of resilience and for everyone else, do not try this at home. 

‘Josh, you are the winner of the Invictus Games Foundation Unconquered award, congratulations mate.’

Among the other stars in the room at Cadogan Hall tonight were Sir Mo Farah, Dame Kelly Holmes, Frank Lampard and Ellie Simmonds, who presented awards to individuals and organisations across the country.

A total of eight charities presented awards tonight, including Dallaglio RugbyWorks, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Greenhouse Sports and Lord’s Taverners.

The inaugoral Sport Gives Back Awards took place in 2020 and was set up by former international athlete Connie Henry MBE. 

She said: ‘Sport changed my life as a teenager. It gave me the stability, focus, and opportunity I wouldn’t otherwise have had.

‘When I retired from athletics, I set up Track Academy, a charity which supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Brent, where I grew up myself. Over the last 15 years, we have helped hundreds of students to succeed both on and off the track.’

She added: ‘Back in 2019, I realised that there was no platform where charities and organisations like ours could shout about the amazing work we do through sport. As a result, I decided to set up Sport Gives Back to celebrate those who use sport for social change.’

• The Sport Gives Back Awards will air on ITV1 on Sunday, March 24.