A Staffordshire memorial to 16,000 fallen service personnel was named the country's best Heritage Project in the National Lottery Awards.
The Armed Forces Memorial, at Alrewas, is dedicated to those who have died during active service since 1948. It was created at the National Memorial Arboretum because many veterans and their families felt there was insufficient recognition of those who had given their lives in conflict since the Second World War.
And it was one of seven community projects voted for by the public to receive a National Lottery: Big 7 Award.
Also among the winners was the Worcestershire-based Redditch Nightstop which took the award in the Charity/Voluntary group.
Volunteers at the facility in Redditch provide emergency accommodation, washing facilities and a hot meal in their own homes to vulnerable 16 to 25-year-olds who have left home.
The Armed Forces Memorial’s video submission featured Tricia Wall, from Nottingham, who lost her husband Colin during the Iraq War. Warrant Officer Wall, aged 34, a company sergeant major with 150 Provost Company of the Royal Military Police, died in 2003 when his vehicle was hit by a grenade. His name has since been engraved on the memorial, located off the A38 at Alrewas.
And Mrs Wall said: “To have a national memorial which recognises Colin means an awful lot to me. Somehow it makes that pain of him not seeing his son grow up a little less hard to bear.”
A total of 21 projects were nominated for the £2,000 prizes, which aimed to highlight the difference they can make to communities and celebrate the achievements of those behind them.
Celebrities including boxer Ricky Hatton and Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson announced the winners during a special BBC1 show on Saturday night.
The awards are in their fifth year and the public was invited to vote for their favourite projects by phone or over the internet.
