Fundraiser For Gourock Chef Who Lost Both Of His Legs

Friends are rallying to help a popular former chef from Gourock who almost died after losing both of his legs to a deadly illness.

Billy Lawson, who ran The Scullery in the town, had his limbs amputated after a simple toe infection spread with devastating consequences.

He suffered multiple organ failure and his family were told to start planning his funeral, with doctors saying he had just days to live.

Miraculously, brave Billy recovered after spending another month in hospital - where he also contracted Covid-19 - and was able to return home.

His ex-partner Tony Reid and Greenock college lecturer and former Scullery regular Angela Anderson have launched a mammoth £100,000 fundraising appeal to give Billy his life back.

The pair are hoping that former friends and customers of The Scullery, which was on Bath Street, will get behind them.

Tony, who lives in Gourock, said: "It's truly unbelievable what has happened to Billy (pictured above).

"Up until he was furloughed he was fit and healthy and still working as a chef in a busy restaurant.

"His whole life changed in a matter of days and we genuinely thought we were going to lose him.

"His partner called me from the hospital to say they were planning his funeral, so we really thought that was it for him."

"It's a miracle that he is still here, so now we want to make sure that we can help give him the best quality of life we possibly can."

Billy and partner Mark Campbell bought their home 18 months ago and carried out renovations upstairs in the property during the lockdown.

The only way his current house could be changed would be to brick up the living room window and build a lift to the upstairs bedroom.

However, those changes would leave insufficient space for Billy's medical equipment.

Tony, 54, said: "There's just no way that the current house could be renovated.

"The lift would take up too much space and not leave room for Billy's wheelchair, medical bed and equipment.

"The hope is they will be able to sell it and buy a bungalow and use the funds to renovate it to give Billy back his freedom.

"Currently he has carers visiting him four times a day and he can only get out if they hire a specialist taxi.

"He's totally stuck and it's driving him crazy - it is no way to live."

Angela, who has been friends with Billy and Tony since visiting the restaurant the day after her wedding 25 years ago, says she felt compelled to help after hearing about Billy's plight.

The Greenock grandmother, who fundraised for Ardgowan Hospice to mark her 60th birthday last year, added: "When I heard about what Billy had been through I knew we had to do something to help.

"He spent so much of his time looking after each and every person who entered the doors of The Scullery, so I think it's our turn to look after him and give him back his life.

"He is such an amazing man and is so positive - he deserves to have a home that suits his needs."

To support the fundraiser visit GoFundME here. 

This article appeared in the Greenock Telegraph.