A hero medic who has been made a MBE for helping to save lives during the pandemic and for other charitable works is now facing his own fight for life.

Wayne Ingram, from Portland, is among the local recipients in the Queen's Birthday Honours – but instead of celebrating he is battling 'severe sepsis' in Dorset County Hospital.

Mr Ingram, 51, a volunteer helicopter medic who spent time during the pandemic repatriating Covid-19 patients from their places of work on the North Sea back to mainland Britain, believes he developed the life threatening illness after being bitten by an insect and the bite became infected.

His MBE is in recognition for charitable services, but former soldier turned NHS paramedic Mr Ingram is currently focused on recovering in hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, he said: "Doctors believe I caught severe sepsis from an insect bite while walking my dog."

He added: "I want to say a massive thanks to the staff on Moreton ward at DCH for the care and support they are giving me. They are completely overwhelmed with patients and constantly short staffed but they continually show amazing support to us all."

This is not the first prestigious award Mr Ingram has been presented with.

In 2017, he became the first British citizen to receive a Humanitarian Award from the Serbian president for his efforts helping Stefan Savic, a Bosnian boy with a rare facial cleft, after he raised £140,000 to pay for the boy to have five operations. Stefan, now 21, is living a full and happy life.

Mr Ingram works as an ambulance paramedic but helped repatriate Covid patients whilst on voluntary detachment.

His other charitable work includes raising money to build a new orphanage in Mauritania and supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital by spending seven days on a life raft in Portland Harbour.

He continues his inspirational and selfless work as an ambassador for the veterans’ hub in Weymouth.