THE fund set up to help injured Greenock firefighter Andy Adams is to get a £15,000 boost from the Provost’s Fund.

Robert Moran made the announcement at the final full council meeting of the 2012-17 term.

Andy was left paralysed after a wall collapsed on him as he tackled a deliberate blaze at the former Larkfield Masonic Association social club last August.

He has no feeling below his chest and has still not been able to return home from hospital because special accommodation will be needed.

Councillor Chris McEleny had proposed that the council should match the amount raised by the public over the course of May and June, up to the value of £15,000.

But Provost Moran said the issue was so important that he wanted to immediately donate £15,000.

He said: “We appreciate the seriousness of what happened to Andy.”

Cllr McEleny praised the work being done by many people to contribute towards the rehabilitation fund, and said: “I hope the council’s contribution will encourage more people to come forward to help.”

Cllr Jim MacLeod said he suffered a spinal injury as a child and knows some of the difficulties being experienced by Andy.

The councillor, who also uses a wheelchair, said: “I have spoken to him on a couple of occasions. He and his family face big issues.”

Cllr Stephen McCabe said the local authority was more than happy to back Cllr McEleny’s suggestion of support for the firefighter. He said: “Andy is an outstanding public servant. We need to look after our own. 

“The challenges Andy faces can only be imagined.

“But there is a dearth of suitable accommodation in Inverclyde and other areas he and his family would like to live in.”

Mr McCabe said Inverclyde officials would do their best to help.

Greenock fire station watch commander, Sandy MacLean, said Andy’s colleagues had to dig him out of the rubble after the wall fell on him.

The father-of-two suffered a severed spinal cord, fractured neck, three broken vertebrae, a broken sternum, two fractured scapulae, a punctured lung, broken collarbone, broken tibula, fibula, ankle and jaw.

Mr MacLean told councillors that before the Provost’s announcement, the fund stood at £74,000.

He said: “Andy has served all parts of Inverclyde. Our fundraising is to get him home as quickly as possible and to go towards his rehabilitation.”

To make a donation visit www.andyadamsfund.com