An RAF veteran from Carlton Colville who was left paralysed after his vehicle was blown up by an improvised explosive device (IED) has been presented with an 'Above and Beyond' award for his dedicated charity work.
The RAF Benevolent Fund gave Kevin Ogilvie, 24, his award as a result of his tireless charity fund-raising after it supported him, his now-wife Amie and their young daughter Gracie when they needed help the most.
Mr Ogilvie will also find out tomorrow if he has been successful in winning the national 'Soldiering On Through Life Trust Award' after the RAF Benevolent Fund nominated him as a national candidate for the accolade.
In 2012, Mr Ogilvie was on patrol in Helmand province during his second deployment to Afghanistan with Lossiemouth based 51 Squadron RAF Regiment when an IED ripped through the armoured vehicle he was driving.
The explosion left Mr Ogilvie with severe spinal injuries, made all the more difficult as he and Mrs Ogilvie - then Amie Curtis - had a baby daughter who was just a few months old, with a wedding booked for the following year.
The RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF's leading welfare charity, stepped in to help the family and his parents during his months of recovery and rehabilitation.
They provided financial support to ensure Mrs Ogilvie and Grace could stay with Kevin during his recovery and paid for Kevin's parents to visit every other week.
Following his accident, the family have undertaken an incredible fund-raising effort to thank the RAF Benevolent Fund for its support during those difficult times.
To date, they have raised more than £9,000 through a gala dinner, bungee jumps, bucket collections, and a half-marathon. Their 18-month fundraising effort will culminate with a family skydive on Sunday, April 26.
Speaking about winning his award, Mr Ogilvie, who was born and raised in Carnoustie in Scotland, 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.'
Mr Ogilvie's wife Amie added: '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.'
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the RAF's leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to all members of the RAF family.
Fund Controller Air Marshal Chris Nickols said: 'Kevin, Amie, and their family have been fantastic supporters of the RAF Benevolent Fund.
'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.'
It 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.
The awards ceremony, which was sponsored by Lockheed Martin, was held at the Victory Services Club in London.
Do you know someone who has received national recognition? Tell The Journal by calling 01502 525825 or email lowestoft.journal@archant.co.uk
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