You've sacrificed all for your country. I salute you

ENGLAND soccer captain John Terry grasps the hand of wounded war hero Ben Parkinson and humbly vows: "We'll NEVER forget the sacrifice you've made for your country-all Britain salutes you."

Sports stars are often tagged heroes but footballer John made it clear we all know who the REAL bravehearts are as he delivered his moving tribute to injured troops recovering at the Headley Court rehab centre in Epsom, Surrey.

Handing out presents-part of the News of the World's Christmas salute to our armed forces-he honoured the valiant men and women and the staff helping them back to fitness.

Still stinging from England's dismal failure to qualify for Euro 2008, Chelsea stalwart John, 26, said: "Meeting guys who've lost limbs in the line of duty puts everything in perspective. These people have put their entire lives on the line for their country.

"We should all be thinking about these men and women-and ALL our troops around the world-this Christmas. The whole nation should salute their massive sacrifice."

John was joined by TV's Top Gear favourite Richard Hammond and bubbly Big Brother twins Sam and Amanda Marchant at the RAF-run medical centre on Monday.

Obviously moved, Richard told us: "We send these men and women out to some of the most dangerous parts of the world to fight.

"So it's only right that when they come back wounded we show them that we care. To sit and talk with them, to hear their stories of bravery, fear and survival, was an honour. And to see the way they cope is an inspiration.

"I wish every one of them a full and speedy recovery-and thank them all for their bravery and strength." The Marchant girls donned Santa hats as the celebrities dished out sackfuls of goodies including XBox 360 games consoles, DVDs from 20th Century Fox and books from HarperCollins.

For more than three hours the stars sat chatting to patients and carers. Their spirit shone through as many joked and teased John Terry about Chelsea and England's recent form. And he left 23-year-old paratrooper Ben Parkinson beaming with his thank-you tribute.

A mine blast cost Ben, a lance bombardier in the elite airborne 7th Royal Horse Artillery, both legs plus fractures to his skull, jaw, spine and elbow in Afghanistan's Helmand province in September last year. He is still unable to talk but is determined to walk tall again one day with artificial legs. As the footie idol chatted and held his hand, Ben listened with a huge smile on his face.

Lucky

John was also impressed as Territorial Army corporal Chris Skirrow, of 104 REME, told of his personal battle to get back to full health-and his determination to rejoin comrades on the front line.

Chris, 41, received two gunshot wounds in his right leg at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, breaking the limb and ripping out a chunk of his ankle.

Between specialist physiotherapy and gym training to rebuild his strength, Chris bravely told us: "Compared to some of the lads I'm lucky. I've still got the limb, others in here don't.

"The care here is great. You couldn't ask for more. And it's great to see someone like John Terry here. He's a brilliant bloke."

Black Watch Lance Corporal Chris Ashton, 27-who lost an eye and part of his skull in a grenade accident in Iraq last year-made the most of his meeting with John. He got the star to sign his England shirt and memorabilia to auction off and raise funds for other servicemen injured in the line of duty.

Chris, married with a two-year-old son, said: "We all have good days and bad in here. But having someone like John visit makes anyone's day better."

Richard 'Hamster' Hammond raised spirits, too. Only last year he had emergency brain surgery himself after his 288mph crash in a jet car. And he could relate to the plight of Royal Regiment of Scotland Sgt Paul Pattie, 30, who suffered a brain injury in March while stationed in Edinburgh. Sgt Martyn Gibbons, 33, of 2 Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, found common ground with John Terry, too.

Martyn suffered fractures to both legs when a mortar round hit him in Afghanistan last March. The dad of three is undergoing lengthy physio and itching to get going again.

Boost

He told us: "We were saying how frustrating that can be, in a similar way to injured footballers. All they want is to get back on the pitch as soon as possible, and we're the same. You just want to get fit. My battalion is going back to Afghanistan in January 2009 and I want to be with them. Seeing John and the other stars here is a big boost.

"It just reminds you that people haven't forgotten about us."

John toured the 85-acre site where 200 staff-including RAF engineers who have turned their skills from maintaining hi-tech aircraft to manufacturing false limbs-care for around 200 patients. Afterwards he spoke from the heart and said: "The people who work here are obviously massively dedicated and the facilities are great.

"I was truly honoured to meet everyone, both patients and staff."

You can help ease the pain

TODAY we call on you all to back our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan-with a Christmas message of support.

Thousands of our heroes will spend the festive period in danger, separated from loved ones. So to show our thanks, we're shipping out a special Forces Edition of the News of the World, PLUS a sleigh load of presents.

And we want YOU to complete the package by clicking on www.notw.co.uk/forces and leaving a message online.

Or, you can send an email to forces@notw.co.uk

Every one will go to our frontline troops. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "This will be a huge boost."