Hero Ben says thanks as Mail readers smash appeal target in just three days

Lance Bombardier Parkinson's relatives asked for £50,000 to fund his High Court battle to force the Ministry of Defence to offer a fairer compensation deal to troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe injuries.

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But by last night the total raised had already reached an astonishing £120,000 - a testament to the warm public support for 23-year-old Ben and soldiers like him, and the widespread outrage over his treatment.

The successful appeal is now being wound up, with surplus funds donated to veterans' charities.

Ben' s mother Diane Dernie burst into tears when she heard of the overwhelming response from Mail readers. She said: "It is absolutely unbelievable. Fantastic.

"It just shows that despite what politicians and commentators say, everybody appreciates and supports our soldiers. We cannot thank people enough for caring and being so generous."

Mrs Dernie, 49, from Doncaster, gave the news to Ben at the military rehabilitation centre, Headley Court, in Surrey, where he is being treated for his devastating injuries.

She said: "He simply couldn't believe that people cared that much. He is thrilled and amazed. When we told him there had been 4,400 letters, he could not believe it.

"It is giving him such a boost and he is making brilliant progress. He showed us today how he can get into his chair unaided and pick things up off the floor and get himself sitting upright again."

Ben Parkinson's Land Rover was blown up by a landmine in southern Afghanistan a year ago.

Both his legs were amputated and he suffered severe fractures all over his body including to his skull, spine, arms and pelvis. He also sustained severe brain damage.

Because of the complex rules governing the MoD's compensation scheme for wounded troops, he was offered a lump sum of just £152,150 - barely half the maximum allowed.

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By contrast an RAF civilian typist recently received £484,000 compensation - more than three times as much - for a repetitive strain injury.

Ben's lawyers are taking his case to the High Court to try to change the way the scheme works to make it more generous to the handful of soldiers who suffer the most severe multiple injuries.

The Judicial Review - for which Ben was not entitled to legal aid - is expected to begin in the autumn.