Plymouth ex-Marine and triple amputee makes Amplifon Brave Britons finals
Mark Ormrod has been recognised for his fundraising efforts
A Plymstock war veteran and triple amputee has been named as a finalist in the Amplifon Awards For Brave Britons 2021, after raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity by undertaking remarkable feats of endurance.
This year, 38-year-old Mark Ormrod has completed a 5km run, a 1km swim across Plymouth Sound, and a 99.9 mile bike ride to raise money for the veterans’ charity REORG.
He's now reached the final four of the Charity Champion category in global-hearing specialist Amplifon’s search for the ‘Best of British’ heroes.
Mark joined the Royal Marines in 2001 when he was just 17. On Christmas Eve 2007 whilst serving in Afghanistan with 40 Commando Royal Marines he was blown up by an improvised explosive device which resulted in him losing both legs and his right arm. During the immediate aftermath he was twice pronounced dead.
Since then however he has set himself one amazing goal after another.
Apart from writing his highly acclaimed autobiography ‘Man Down’ he has run 3,500 miles across the US to raise awareness of wounded veterans, has cycled 3,000 miles around the UK, and has won 11 medals including five gold at the Invictus Games.
He has even abseiled down the BT Tower in London to raise money for the Royal Marines Charity.
Mark said: "I never wanted to be a burden on anyone either my family or the tax payer and I used that as my motivation to regain my independence and push myself as hard as I could so my wife and children would be proud of me.
"It is a daunting task to lose limbs when your job and your whole life is focused on being physically fit. But Blesma (British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association) know how to help because every one of their members has been through exactly the same thing."
Mark Ormrod - Plymouth War Veteran and Triple Amputee
Now the owner of several small businesses and a motivational speaker Mark is an employee and ambassador of the Royal Marines Association.