A local man has won the Endeavour Fund Award at the inaugural award ceremony, which was attended by The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Martin Pollock from Mullion won the award, which aims to support wounded, injured and sick Service Personnel and Veterans (WIS) using sport and adventurous challenges as part of their recovery and rehabilitation.

Martin was chosen for the award as he best used the rehabilitation techniques for his recovery, through his involvement with Op Surf UK, a week-long adaptive surfing programme for people with severe wounds.

Surfing was a huge challenge for Martin to overcome, after losing both legs above the knee and his left arm above the elbow, but now surfing has become his entire life.

Martin was wounded in 2010 whilst deployed in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 11 as part of the 3 Rifles battle group.

He initially received a gunshot wound to the leg, but after treatment in theatre he returned to the field.

However, a short while later Martin received further injuries when his company was hit by an explosive improvised device (IED), causing Martin to loose both legs above the knee, and one arm above the elbow.

Whilst undergoing rehabilitation at Headley Court, Martin was deemed to be one of the few patients who seemed like he had lost all hope, until he was selected to take part in Operation SURF.

Martin took to the waves and was instantly hooked, and onlookers remarked that he looked like a natural.

Martin was then instrumental in bringing Operation SURF to the UK, when working with the Endeavour Fund as a key advisor.

He worked tirelessly to build relationships with surf communities both in the UK and the US, and has advised on surf locations in Cornwall.

The award ceremony was also a chance to remember Henry Worsley, who tragically died in January 2016 while attempting to cross the Antarctic continent unaided.

Undertaking something that had never been achieved before, Henry had taken on the challenge in memory of his brothers in arms who had become injured through their time in the Armed Forces.

All funds raised by Henry were donated to the Endeavour Award.

The Duke of Cambridge, speaking at the event, said: "Tonight, as we look back on everything that has been achieved, we must remember that a lot of these successes have been supported by the funds raised through Henry's herculean efforts.

"The best way that we can thank Henry, the best way we can honour his memory is to create a legacy.

"the award of a prize in his name, is but a small part of his legacy, a gesture offered to show how much Henry meant to us.

"A much more significant and meaningful legacy can be fulfilled by you, the community for when Henry sacrificed so much."

Prince Harry said: "With support from the Endeavour Fund, they have joined teams, established strong support networks and discovered new passions.

"Using the power of sport, this community has helped themselves to carve out a new life, a new direction and a new definition of self-proving to themselves and everyone else that beyond injury, they can still achieve the extraordinary."

Since its launch in 2012 the Endeavour Fund has supported 39 different projects that have directly assisted over 1,400 WIS.

Through their own fundraising, these endeavours have collectively raised £2.3m for other forces charities.

The Endeavour Fund Awards Ceremony is also an opportunity to continue engaging and inspiring the harder-to-reach WIS and those who could most benefit from being involved in sport and adventure challenges to help their journey to recovery.