An Angus soldier who was paralysed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan has been honoured for his fundraising efforts for the charity which assisted his recovery.
Former RAF Regiment Gunner Kevin Ogilvie and his wife Amie, originally of Carnoustie, were presented with the Above and Beyond Award from the RAF Benevolent Fund for their fantastic support of the welfare charity.
Kevin was just 22 when a roadside bomb explosion left him paralysed from the chest down.
The blast ripped through the armoured vehicle the former Carnoustie High School pupil was driving while on patrol in Helmand Province three years ago.
“On the day we were due to do a village patrol,” he said.
“We left the base and went up on top of a hill. My commander spotted some children off in the distance so we moved off the hill and that was it the next thing I remember I was back at Camp Bastion.”
He was immediately flown back to the UK where he spent some time in intensive care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
After two weeks he was transferred to a specialist spinal unit in Oswestry, Shropshire and after three months transferred to the Headley Court military rehabilitation unit.
During this time the RAF Benevolent Fund found a nearby cottage for Amie and their baby daughter Grace.
Amie said: “Our daughter Grace was only a few months old when Kevin was deployed and then injured, so it was an incredibly stressful time.
“The RAF Benevolent Fund rented a cottage for me and Grace to stay near the hospital and also paid for Kevin’s family to visit every other week from Scotland.
“Their support made such a difference to me and really helped Kevin’s recovery.”
Following his accident, Kevin, Amie, and the extended Ogilvie family have undertaken an incredible fundraising effort to thank the RAF Benevolent Fund for its support during those difficult times.
To date, they’ve raised more than £9,000 for the charity with a gala dinner, bungee jumps, bucket collections and a half-marathon.
Their 18-month fundraising effort will culminate with a family skydive at Beccles Airfield on April 26.
On accepting the award, Kevin said: “My family will never forget the support we received from the RAF Benevolent Fund they were there for us at such a difficult time.
“We just wanted to raise funds to thank the charity and support their welfare work, so to be here receiving the Above and Beyond award is just incredible.”
This is the third year that the RAF Benevolent Fund has recognised the outstanding contributions made by a few of the dedicated individuals, stations and corporate partners who support the charity each year.
RAF Benevolent Fund controller Air Marshal Chris Nickols said: “It was our honour to help them when Kevin was injured and it is a pleasure to see them doing well and receiving this award tonight.”