A CAMPAIGNER fighting to stop the closure of a specialist residential unit today paid a heartfelt tribute to her husband after he lost his battle with Huntington's.

Brenda Elliott has led the battle to keep MacLehose Court open, warning that if it closes as planned then people with complex health needs, like her late partner Colin, would lose expert care.

Colin died last month after facing a 12-year battle with the cruel disease, which attacks nerve cells in the brain and left him suffering from severe physical disabilities and illness.

Brave Brenda now hopes Blackwood bosses will reconsider their decision to close it down.

Grieving Brenda, 52, of Gourock's Darroch Drive, said: "There is nothing more important than keeping MacLehose Court open.

"We would never have been able to put Colin anywhere else.

Colin lost his fight for life aged 49 on April 18, with Brenda and daughter Hannah keeping vigil by his bedside in his last days.

Brenda added: "I can't thank the staff at MacLehose Court enough, they took it in turns to be there with us.

"They gave him care that he wouldn't have got anywhere else.

"Huntington's really is a a terrible illness.

"It is like dementia, motor neurone's and Parkinson's rolled into one."

Brenda and daughter Hannah took the heartbreaking decision to move Colin into MacLehose three years ago.

They have been overwhelmed by the reaction to Colin's death, receiving hundreds of messages of sympathy and condolence, including one from Provost Martin Brennan.

Brenda, who works as an NHS administrator said: "The messages have meant such a lot to both Hannah and I."

Paying tribute to her husband of 17 years, Brenda said: "Colin was six foot and really was a gentle giant.

"He was so laid back and an amazing dad.

"That is what makes Huntington's so terrible, it takes everything.

"He just loved to shop and Hannah and I used to take him out every week.

"We always planned ahead and would take him to places like the retail park in Port Glasgow.

"He loved his music and played George Bowie's GBX anthems - he used to phone up the radio station and put out 'shout-outs' for Hannah when it was her birthday or she started school.

"We wanted his funeral to be a celebration of his life.

"He loved bright colours and would never wear black."

Brenda from Gourock and Colin, originally from Kilbirnie, met 25 years ago on a night out in Largs and they were later married in the town.

Hannah was only three years old when Colin was diagnosed with Huntington's while he was working for the Student Loans Company.

Over the years the family have raised thousands of pounds for the Scottish Huntington's Association.

As well as Brenda and Hannah, Colin is survived by his sister Lesley, who is 52.

Brenda wishes to say a huge thank-you to her family and close friends, MacLehose Court, Inverclyde Royal's PDRU, Dr Francis and community nurses from Gourock Health Centre, staff & pupils from St Columba's High, Scottish Huntington's Association, the Student Loans Company, PB Wrights, Christine Currie and The Albany, Gordon Mills and Craig Chalmers.