War veteran Mark Harding was invited to a charity awards gala at the House of Lords. 

The 2023 Soldiering On Awards gala recognise those in the armed forces community by celebrating their achievements. 

Mark who is currently walking from John O'Groats to Lands’ End to raise money for Scotty's Little Soldiers, who support bereaved military children, headed along as voting opened this week. 

The winners will be announced later this year in September. 

Mark was seriously injured whilst serving in Afghanistan and told he would never walk again. 

Since then, he was regained some of his mobility and regularly takes on challenges that are close to his heart. 

Mr Harding said: "I was nominated for the Soldiering On awards and I got an email through saying that I'd made it through to the final. 

"I was taken aback, what I'm doing at the moment is important, but I thought they might have got the wrong person. 

"I took a break from what I was doing and headed down to the House of Lords, it was similar in a way to the Pride of Britain Awards. 

"There were so many people nominated for it and it was cut down to around 32 people from a few hundred. 

"When we got down there, we were told that the awards recognise people that just keep on going, particularly soldiers, it was humbling to be around like-minded people. 

"It has gone to a public vote, and they can vote online, with the overall winner being announced on September 27. 

"The challenge is continuing to go really well I'm just getting into Hereford now and am going to be doing some interviews with the national press, the Daily Express will be coming out to see me."

Mark has also received news from officials at the charity Scotty's Little Soldiers that he has been given a large donation of £5,000 bringing his total up to over £13,000.