Proud Jaqueline to present award marking heroic soldier son

THE mother of a fallen Edinburgh soldier will present a trophy in his honour at a martial arts tournament in which her son was due to compete.

Jaqueline McDonald, 48, said she felt "privileged" to award the Best Fighter gong to the event's most valiant competitor – an accolade her son Sean earned last year before being sent to Afghanistan, where he was killed on 7 February.

The private, from Currie, died when a roadside bomb exploded as he led a routine night patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand in January. He was 26.

Sean was serving with The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots) based at Dreghorn Barracks and was nearing the end of a six-month tour.

Before his latest tour he had been training with Alba Dornadair Mixed Martial Arts club – Gaelic for Scottish Fighter – for about two years, winning the respect of fellow fighters when he faced down an opponent who was a lofty six inches taller than his 5ft 10in frame before narrowly losing on points.

It was for this performance, one of four competitive bouts with the Duddingston-based MMA club, that he was crowned the tournament's Best Fighter.

Willie Scott, chief instructor at Alba Dornadair who often exchanged e-mails with the soldier, said Sean possessed a natural gift for sparring which was aided by his military training.

"He was always a very good fighter and being in the army he was really fit and quite strong," said the 45-year-old.

" Sean was always first in the gym and last out.

"He had a stocky build and used it well in the ring."

It was while re-reading Sean's e-mails, which he received right up until the day he died, that the MMA coach decided to pay a special tribute to his student.

"The last few e-mails I received from Sean he was saying how much he was looking forward to fighting in this tournament," he told the News.

"I came up with the idea of including a trophy for Best Fighter on the night in honour of Sean. I spoke to his mum Jacquie about presenting it to the winner and, although she was a bit overwhelmed, she said it was an honour to be asked."

Sean's regiment, 1 Scots, have donated a trophy in his name and a raft of army colleagues are expected to attend the tournament, which will double as a fundraiser for servicemen wounded in Afghanistan.

Ringside 1 Scots soldiers will be selling wristbands and a raffle will be held, with all proceeds being donated to the fund.

The fight night, due to take place this Sunday, has been postponed to 31 October.

It will be held at Dalkeith Miner's Club.