Bomb-injured soldier Ricky Furgusson to carry Olympic Torch
Wednesday 14th December 2011, 12:34PM GMT.
A soldier who was awarded the Military Cross after losing both his legs in a bomb blast in Afghanistan will carry the Olympic Torch through Shropshire.
Ricky Furgusson, of Telford, also lost his left eye and fingers from both hands when he was struck by an IED in 2009.
He has been asked to carry the torch after being nominated by friends Germainea Davies and Melissa Davies.
Today Mr Furgusson said: “I was delighted to have been asked, it’s an amazing opportunity. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been in America this week skiing in Colorado, and I heard via e-mail. I won’t know until next year where I’ll be carrying it.”
Germainea said: “Nobody in Shropshire deserves to carry the Olympic Torch more than Ricky Furgusson. He is an inspiration after suffering horrific injuries in Afghanistan.
“His attitude and bravery are amazing. This young man 100 per cent deserves this honour, he would be proud to carry the Torch for his country and his country should be proud for him to carry it.
“Ricky was awarded the Military Cross from the Queen in 2010 and received 2010 Life Saver Award at the Millies Awards.”
Melissa said: “Ricky is one of the world’s bravest soldiers. Not only has this legend adapted to living without both of his legs, left eye and fingers from both hands but this guy has shown strength, determination and above all courage.
“Ricky risked his own life several times to help save wounded comrades whilst serving in Afghanistan before his tragic IED attack.
“Ricky is a true hero who is passionate about his country and who I believe should hold the Olympic Torch for England. Ricky will never walk alone.”
See also:
Most Commented
- Shropshire Council will face £8m redundancy bill
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Well done Ricky!! Well deserved hun xx
Report abuse
Well done ferg!x
Report abuse
I suspect that sooner or later we will see any number of so called celebs announcing on their twitter sites or the One Show how honoured they are to be chosen to carry the torch.
Nice to see for once somebody who really has done their bit for the country to get some payback. Good man.
Report abuse
“His attitude and bravery are amazing. This young man 100 per cent deserves this honour, he would be proud to carry the Torch for his country and his country should be proud for him to carry it.”
The above sentence sums it up. Well done Ricky, all the best mate.
Report abuse
Well done Ferg!! and well done Mel and Germaine xx
Report abuse
Best person to carry it, Rickey your legend mate! :)
Report abuse
Best person to carry it , words of heroic, brave, etc apply to people like this guy well done ricky.
Words above i remember being used by a few teachers on this website to describe themselves or the people they work with, ricky is the type of person who those words should be directed at.
Report abuse
Well done Ricky!! Well deserved
Report abuse
Top man and exactly the sort of inspirational character who should take a shot at carrying the torch. Well done, mucker.
Report abuse
Well done Ricky, We are all proud of you.
Report abuse
What a great Honour
Nice one Ricky lad
As a nation we are proud to have you carry the torch!
Report abuse