By Joel Wiebe, Contact Staff

Sergeant Andrew McLean received the King Clancy Award.

For his work in helping Canadian Forces members who have been severely injured or disabled, Sergeant Andrew McLean was awarded the King Clancy Award in Toronto on February 9, 2009. The King Clancy Award is presented to distinguished Canadians who have made significant contributions in assisting disabled citizens to achieve a more rewarding lifestyle.

Sgt McLean, a search and rescue technician at 8 Wing Trenton, is a co-founder of the Soldier On program that aids people in recovery from disability, whether from accident or illness, through sports and active living.

"I think a lot of people do a lot of good things, and a lot of people deserve to be acknowledged. We always look at ourselves and question our own self worth, but it's nice to be acknowledged," he said.

Sgt McLean was told in early December that he had won the award, which is presented annually by the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons. The award is named after former Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs' icon King Clancy, a well-known humanitarian.

He was quick to point out that it took more than his efforts to get the program to where it is - there are a lot of people behind Soldier On.

"The primary focus is grass roots involvement and participation. It's only going to be as successful as we want it to be," he said. Anybody involved with the defence team will be entitled to apply for grants for financial assistance to be recreationally involved (in) physical activity or sports," he said.

The grants cover items like prosthetics, adaptive sports equipment, and traveling fees to get to places that provide programs for active lifestyles.

"I can tell you that [disabilities] can potentially affect every single CF and defence team member. The Soldier On program is not only being offered to men and women in uniform, but also to reservists, retired members, dependants of the defence team, and defence team employees themselves," he said.

Though many people benefit from the program, there are over a dozen who have directly benefited from the program’s funds. These people are not simply names on a list for Sgt McLean. He knows all kinds of details about each person, their abilities, and their future athletic goals and ambitions. This level of care and attention to personal detail undoubtedly played a role in the selection of Sgt McLean for this award.

So far Soldier On has raised about $250,000 in private donations, including a recent anonymous $200,000 donation.

When asked about the future of Soldier On, Andrew said he has big dreams for the program. Whether these dreams become reality - and to what extent - depends on finding the right contacts at the right time.

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MW Team Updates • Director General Personnel & Family Support Services
July 2009 • Serving Those Who Serve • www.cfpsa.com