BIG-HEARTED regulars at a Braeside pub are rallying around to help a hero Greenock firefighter.

The Burns Lounge has been fundraising to help the Andy Adams Rehabilitation Fund.

Andy, 49, was left paralysed after a wall fell on top of him while he was tackling a deliberate blaze in the former Larkfield Masonic Association Club four months ago.

Diane Rebecchi, licence holder of the Burns Lounge, said many people were saddened by what happened and are keen to do what they can to support Andy.

Diane said: “People were shocked and dismayed that someone just going out to their work could end up with life-changing injuries.

“We depend on these people, we need them.

“We have a couple of retired firefighters who drink in the pub who used to work with Andy and it’s also the fact that it happened in our area.”

Diane is holding a race night in February and the pub has already been collecting for the appeal.

This included their annual Christmas card fundraiser, where people hand in a card and make a donation for charity.

Regulars also raised £200 from a Christmas party, while the bingo group who play in the pub all year round handed over their winnings and a bottle of Martell brandy worth £160 will also be raffled.

Diane praised the generosity of her customers, adding: “We must have raised £200,000 over the years for charity.

“I think you get this kind of generosity in old fashioned housing estates, people always rally round.

“If someone passes away our customers are always the first to start a sheet.

“We hope to raise £1,000 for Andy’s fund.”

Dad-of-two Andy recently made the journey from hospital to cheer on his beloved Morton at Cappielow and see his colleagues at Greenock fire station.

A total of £3,170 was collected from fans at the Ton game, where supporters gave Andy a rousing minute’s applause on the 49th minute.

Charity Crimestoppers has put up a £10,000 reward to help catch the culprits behind the deliberate fire which led to Andy’s injuries.

Donations to the online Andy Adams Fund are currently sitting at more than £18,500 and you can donate by logging on to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Andy-Adamsfund