A FUND set up to help with the rehabilitation of Greenock fireman Andy Adams could be set for a £30,000 boost.

Councillor Chris McEleny is proposing that Inverclyde Council contributes to the fundraising appeal for the watch manager who was left with life-changing injuries after tackling a deliberate blaze at the former Larkfield Masonic Association social club in August last year.

The SNP group leader is proposing that the local authority doubles the amount raised by the public over the course of May and June, up to the value of £15,000.

It could mean a potential £30,000 windfall for the Andy Adams Fund, which was set up to help support his rehabilitation.

Almost £50,000 has been raised to date by various groups, businesses and individuals across Inverclyde and beyond, and the Gourock councillor hopes his motion to the last full council meeting this Thursday will be backed by fellow elected members.

Mr McEleny said: “Very often politics has the ability to do really great things. I will be asking members of Inverclyde Council to support the Andy Adams Fund.”

Firefighter Andy, 49, was left paralysed after a wall collapsed on top of him as he and his colleagues battled the LMA blaze.

The dad-of-two paid a heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed to the appeal saying that it gives him the ‘motivation to keep going’.

Friends and workmates set up the fund with a target of £250,000 to help aid Andy’s recovery from his injuries.

Councillor McEleny hopes that his proposal will contribute towards achieving that goal and that the match-funding idea will encourage even more people to collect money.

He said: “A lot of fundraising work is planned over those two months and hopefully doing it this way will encourage the community to do more, as whatever they raise would be match-funded by the council.

“After first considering a one-off donation, I was very touched to see the tireless work people are carrying out.

“I’d love to see us encourage as many people as possible to take part. Andy and his family all worked hard to improve our community, therefore I will be asking the council to contribute during May and June.”

Councillors have been asked to consider Mr McEleny’s motion and a decision will be made when the public meeting takes place at 4pm in the Municipal Buildings, Greenock.