The family of an “inspirational” Angus war veteran have pledged to raise money for charity to thank the people who saved his life.
Carnoustie-born Kevin Ogilvie was paralysed from the chest down after an improvised explosive device ripped through the armoured vehicle he was driving while on patrol in Helmand Provence, Afghanistan, in 2012.
The blast left the former Carnoustie High School pupil fighting for his life with seven broken and crushed vertebrae and other serious injuries.
Kevin, 22 at the time, was flown back to the UK where he underwent months of treatment and medical procedures and is now confined to a wheelchair.
Things could have been vastly different for the 24-year-old and his family had it not been for the work and support of the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).
Kevin said: “My wife Amie was really well looked after by SSAFA. They provided her with a place to stay and also got somewhere for my mum and dad.
“I don’t know what we would have done without it really. I just want to give a massive thanks to everybody.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for being there and they still are there through all the heartache.”
Kevin, who now lives in Suffolk, joined the RAF Lossiemouth-based 51 Squadron in 2008 and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan when the horrific incident happened.
He was injured alongside three other men and was immediately flown back to the UK where he spent time in intensive care at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
After two weeks he was transferred to a specialist spinal unit in Oswestry, Shropshire, and then to the Headley Court military rehabilitation unit after three months.
As he began his long recovery from the near-fatal injuries he knew he would be reliant on his family, friends and RAF colleagues to provide support.
Kevin’s parents Phillip and Rhona, who live in Forfar, said the work of the SSAFA and the Benevolent Fund was like a crutch for his son, and the family are now determined to raise £10,000 as a way of saying thank-you.
“The family received help from two charities dedicated to helping injured service personnel and their families and we are now keen to repay them for their fantastic support,” Phil said.
“During the first two weeks of treatment he was basically knocked out with medication and didn’t know what was going on, but he has made a remarkable recovery.
“This year he has been yachting and even drives his own car. He’s an inspiration.
“His mum and I felt it very hard at times but I think it’s just the spirit in him as well that has pulled him through. He just keeps going.”
He added: “For us living in Scotland, going down to Birmingham almost every weekend to see Kevin was very hard, but the charities subsidised all our travel and accommodation.
“They gave Kevin’s wife Amie a cottage near the hospital, and without them we wouldn’t have managed.”
The family, including Kevin’s brother Alister, are planning to carry out bucket collections in Angus and undertake other fundraising activities in the months ahead, including a bungee jump from the Finnieston Crane in Glasgow and the bridge at Killiecrankie.
The appeal will culminate with Kevin and members of the family participating in a parachute jump. They are keen to hear from any individuals or businesses that are willing to support them in any way, or donate prizes for an auction or raffle.
Money can be donated at www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ogilviefundraising or www.ogilviefundraising.co.uk