Parents’ pride at medal for heroic soldier
Saturday 25th September 2010, 11:29AM BST.
The parents of a heroic Shropshire soldier who will meet the Queen to collect a prestigious military medal for his bravery in Afghanistan today said they were “proud and shocked”.
Paul and Tracy Furgusson saw their lives turned upside down when their only son Ricky was struck by an improvised explosive in Afghanistan in January.
He lost both his legs, some fingers and an eye in a bomb blast.
The 25-year-old from Stirchley in Telford spent 17 weeks in hospital and endured three brain operations and several operations on his face.
During that time the couple had to move back from their life in Spain and live in an Army house in Birmingham. But nothing could have prepared them for discovering yesterday that their son was being hailed a hero. He is to receive the Military Cross for bravery.
“We just flew back from Spain on Friday morning and he said he was awarded a medal but that’s all he said. We just put on the news and we were shocked,” said Mrs Furgusson.
“I’m proud and shocked. I’m just so pleased.”
Mrs Furgusson said she was also proud of the way her son has dealt with his injuries. She added: “He is so positive, I can’t believe it.
“Before he did running and boxing and I thought that would have affected him, not being able to run any more. I said to him one day ‘do you feel any hatred for what happened?’ and he said ‘this is my life and I’m going to get on with it’.
“We are just so proud. He is still the same old Ricky.”
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An incredibly brave young man who will be an inspiration to so many, in so many ways.
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To all sports people who hail cricketers and footballers, after a “hard” game, heroes, read this mans story then apologise to all true heroes like him. What an incredible man Ricky is, we should all feel humbled by his example. Good luck mate.
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He still looks handsome, I wish him all the best!
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For once I agree with the usage of the word ‘hero’ in the local press, let’s not overuse it as a generic term and demean the efforts of those who really have gone out of the way in the face of obvious danger
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