A FORMER Langholm primary school pupil is doing his bit to help the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sergeant Major Kevin McDowall has been applauded for his work by the official Humberside & South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force.
In its post on social media, it said: “Today we thank Sergeant Major Kevin McDowall.
“He is a driver for the volunteer car service which is part of the patient transport service run by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
“He volunteers to transport patients to and from hospital for life-saving appointments such as dialysis and radiotherapy.
“This reduces the strain on the auxiliary fleet and, in turn, the emergency response ambulances, allowing them to respond more quickly to 999 calls.”
Kevin, who lived in Holmwood Drive, attended Langholm primary school until he was 10 before moving to Dalston, Carlisle.
His grandparents were the late Gordon and Iris Flitcroft who owned the Cross Keys Garage in Canonbie.
His mum, Joan, said: “Kev tries to return to the Common Riding every year with his brother, Dougie.
“He joined the Carlisle Cadets when he was 13 and even after joining the Scots Guards when he was 16, later transferring to the Bomb Squad, every year until he retired he gave up part of his annual leave to help the cadets with their annual camp.
“When he retired, he immediately took up a post as a cadet instructor in Hull, then as an adult instructor and was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major two years ago.”