Inverness SSAFA volunteer speaks after being awarded OBE for humanitarian work in Ukraine
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Dr Andy Kent – chairman of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Inverness-shire and Western Isles branch and previously of the Royal Army Medical Corps – has spoken about being made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year’s Honours’ List.
It was in recognition of his humanitarian work, particularly in Ukraine, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Born in Malaya and raised in Fife, Dr Kent retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 2002 to work in the Highlands at Raigmore Hospital.
He has been based ever since but in his Army years he served as Regimental Medical Officer to the Gordon Highlanders in Fort George, South Georgia, Kenya, and West Belfast.
In more recent times, he has given more of his time to humanitarian work – mainly trauma training in low and middle income countries – working with UK-Med, the HALO Trust, the World Health Organisation (WHO), The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and the Primary Trauma Care Foundation.
During this time he has served in Beirut, Afghanistan, Yemen, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Somalia, Borneo, and Ukraine – somehow, he also finds time to be club doctor for Highland RFC.
He describes himself as a “Jack of all trades, but master of none" and is keen to acknowledge the many people who have supported him to achieve an OBE.
He said: “In particular I must single out my wife, Jill, who has been my rock over the past 30 years. I met her while serving in Belize where she was volunteering as a teacher with a US charity.
“Another big shout out should go to Anna Masson, our branch administrator here in Inverness, who coincidentally is Belizean.”
The couple have four children who, like their parents, are already working overseas or have their careers horizons set abroad
Dr Kent said: “One daughter is studying for her PhD in Canada, another is teaching in Fiji; one son is doing his Royal Marine Officers' Training at the Commando Training Centre in Devon, and my youngest son is still at university where he is a pilot officer in the air squadron.”
He said that the children leaving the nest freed up more time for him to pursue his humanitarian career, including with RCSEd.
“It’s recently established a Faculty of Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Healthcare in partnership with UK-Med and others," he said. "Our aim – I am vice-chairman of this faculty – is to provide an academic home for humanitarian healthcare workers from across the spectrum.”
He said his role with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, began shortly before the pandemic and added: “It’s been a rather difficult period, but I’ve been extremely well supported in this role by my branch volunteers – especially Anna – and the Scottish Regional Office.
“However, whatever the challenges, the rewards of volunteering for SSAFA – especially the satisfaction of helping ex-service personnel and their families when they are struggling – are immeasurable.”
• For more information – including how to volunteer for SSAFA or to access support from the UK’s oldest tri-service charity – visit the SSAFA website.
