FIREFIGHTERS are calling on the community to go the ‘extra mile’ to help bring their injured colleague home from hospital.

People of all ages and abilities are being invited to take part in a sponsored walk or run from Greenock Fire Station in aid of the Andy Adams Fund.

Sandy MacLean, watch manager at the station, says the money raised will help bring Andy home from hospital, where he has been since being left paralysed after part of a building collapsed on him while he was tacking a deliberate blaze in Larkfield.

He said: “We desperately want to get Andy home from hospital.

“But he can’t until he can get a specially adapted home.

“He went to work on August 25 last year and he hasn’t been able to get home since.

“Andy served the community as a firefighter.

“We are trying to get the community involved as much as we can to reciprocate the work he has done in the fire service for the past 26 years.”

Father of two Andy, 49, has no feeling below his chest after a wall collapsed on him while he tackled an incident at the Larkfield Masonic Club last year.

As he faces up to having to relearn basic skills like how to eat, drink and swallow, he says the massive show of support locally and across the country has pulled him through.

Sandy says Andy is a huge inspiration to everyone.

He said: “When we go up and see him he’s always in good spirits.

“He’s an inspiration.”

The walk/run is on Saturday June 10 and covers just under eight miles from Greenock Fire Station and it will stop off at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Sandy said: “Andy’s partner Clare is a nurse there so I think some of her colleagues are going to join us there.

“Then we’ll head to Gourock Fire Station before heading back to Greenock.

“People can choose to do the whole route or just do part of it, it’s completely up to them.”

Two of the first people to sign up are Jim Cuffe and Danny McLaughlin from Greenock Glenpark Harriers.

Sandy, who thanked everyone who has signed up so far, added: “I worked with Jim in the fire service for 15 years and he still works part-time.

“It’s great to have them involved.”

To register for the event call Sandy on 07795 494823.