FIREFIGHTER Andy Adams has made a heartfelt appeal to help find the people who started the malicious Greenock blaze which led to him being paralysed.

Andy suffered life-changing injuries after a wall collapsed on him while he fought flames at the former Larkfield Masonic Association hall last August.

A year on, police are still looking for vital information to help to convict those responsible, and they recently renewed their appeal for witnesses through the Tele.

Andy, 49, speaking exclusively to the Telegraph, says the last 12 months have been a tough time for him.

He said: “The last year has obviously been very difficult for me. 

“Learning to live with a spinal injury can be very frustrating at times. 

“During rehab you often have to try to perform a task over and over again before you eventually achieve it.”

Andy, his partner of 25 years, nurse Clare Linning, daughter Hannah, 22, and son Darren, 14, saw their lives changed forever in August when the accident happened. 

Andy was rushed into Inverclyde Royal, then transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where he spent two weeks in intensive care fighting for his life. 

It was only when doctors woke him up from a medically induced coma that he learned about his injuries. 

His long road to recovery has included re-learning basic skills of how to drink, eat and swallow as well as twice daily physical therapy sessions each weekday to improve his upper body strength.

Andy says that he often felt like giving up but added that those who have been there to help spurred him on.

He said: “There were lots of occasions when I couldn’t see the point in doing the exercise anymore but with the support I received it encouraged me to go on.”

Fire colleagues and the local community and beyond have been swift to help the popular local man’s rehabilitation and more than £117,000 has been raised so far for the Andy Adams Fund.

The dad-of-two says that he has been deeply touched by the support from the community and is very grateful for the money raised.

He said: “Support has come from lots of different sources and, although I realise that this was a needless deliberate fire that has caused me these life-changing injuries, I believe I have seen the best of the Inverclyde community as they rally round to help. 

“I do not pay attention to the total that is raised but I am very thankful to all who have contributed.”

But he says the best present the public could give him is information about who caused the fire at the former LMA building.

He said: “The most valuable gift to me would be if someone could give information to police leading to the arrest of whoever deliberately started the fire, and preventing another firefighter from being seriously injured.”

Andy is a lifelong Morton fan and he’s been overwhelmed by the support from his beloved club over the last 12 months, with Ton first team stars visiting him in hospital, a collection for the appeal taken at Cappielow and a one minute round of applause held in the 49th minute during a home match against Hibs in a tribute to his bravery.

The club has now appointed him as Morton’s first disability access officer.

Andy says he is delighted to have been chosen and believes it is a way that he can give something back to the club.

He said: “I am very pleased that the club has considered me for this role.

“I hope I will be able to repay the club in some way for the hospitality they have shown me during my recovery. 

“I know I have a lot to learn but I hope to improve the matchday experience for disabled supporters.”

Anyone with information about the fire at the former LMA hall last August should call the police on 101 and report it.

Members of the public can also pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.