A double amputee army veteran from Scone is preparing to complete a gruelling American marathon.
Davie Birrell, along with soldiers from the 51st Highland, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, will take to the streets of Washington DC for the Marine Corps Marathon on October 30.
The group is raising funds for SSAFA and the Allied Forces Foundation, which is hosting the group in the US.
Davie was serving with The Black Watch at Sangin in Afghanistan when he stood on an improvised explosive device in April 2010.
Having seen the Afghan translator he was with killed instantly in the blast, the 30-year-old was forced to tie a tourniquet around his left leg and wait for help.
His leg was amputated at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, and he eventually lost his right leg more than a year later.
Both he and fellow wounded soldier Lance Corporal Mark McCormack, who serves with The Royal Highland Fusiliers, will complete the race on hand-powered bikes.
Davie said: “It took me a long time to get back to fitness and I’m still not 100%.
“It affects you 24/7 — not just for that period of time, it’s for the rest of your life. I have to put these (artificial legs) on every day and visualise what I went through to get them.
“This is to show people that life doesn’t stop with injury — you can just crack on.
“If SAAFA didn’t have to care for guys like myself we wouldn’t be doing the marathon. We are going out to raise money for other guys like myself. We don’t want to go out there and do 26 and a half miles but we think of guys who are deceased or in hospital at the minute.
“If you have a dream you should chase it. My dream is to inspire the world.”
Event organiser Major Jimmy Pearson, who will also complete the marathon, said: “This trip promises to be both challenging and rewarding with opportunities not otherwise available for those that are attending, and while a personnel sacrifice will be required it is an opportunity not to be missed.
“This will serve as both a community engagement and defence engagement opportunity but more importantly will broaden horizons, create important links with the Allied Forces Foundation and provide a unique experience for the two wounded soldiers, not otherwise available.”
