An Angus war veteran who was paralysed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan has been nominated for a national award.
RAF Regiment Gunner Kevin Ogilvie, from Carnoustie, was just 22 when a roadside bomb explosion left him paralysed from the chest down.
The blast ripped through the armoured vehicle he was driving while on patrol in Helmand Province three years ago.
The blast left the former Carnoustie High School pupil fighting for his life, with seven broken and crushed vertebrae and other serious injuries.
Amie, his daughter with partner Grace, was only a few months old.
Now living in Suffolk, he has gradually rebuilt his life through the support of his family, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.
The fund helped Amie and Grace rent a cottage close to the hospital and covered travel costs for Kevin’s parents.
Kevin and Grace got married following his early rehabilitation and he used a standing frame during the vows.
The family have raised more than £20,000 with efforts continuing with a skydive later this year and the fund has nominated Kevin for a Soldiering On Through Life Trust award.
The public can text message votes for Kevin in the People’s Choice category.
He said: “It’s very exciting to be nominated for the People’s Choice Award.
“My family and I are so grateful for the support we received from the RAF Benevolent Fund when I was injured and our fundraising efforts are a way of saying thank you.
“The residents of Carnoustie, Forfar, and the surrounding villages have been very supportive of these efforts and I hope they will also send in their votes for this award.”
Kevin tested out a revolutionary new exoskeleton at military rehab centre Headly Court last year.
Manufactured by New Zealand firm Rex Bionics, the structure attaches to the wearer via straps from their torso to their feet and allows leg movement through the manipulation of a handheld joystick.
He said: “I did trial an exoskeleton and that was the weirdest thing, just looking down and watching my legs move again.”
Text SALT01£1 to 70070 to vote each vote costs £1 for a donation.