A MAN from Old Kilpatrick has paid a heartfelt thanks to the people who helped him show his gratitude to the hospital wards that saved his life from Covid-19.

Gerry Gilroy was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in January and spent 16 days under the expert care of staff.

The 66-year-old recently did a 20-mile stretch of the West Highland Way to raise £2,200 for two wards in the hospital.

“The way they treated me was amazing,” Gerry said of hospital staff, from doctors and nurses to porters, cleaning staff and all others working tirelessly since the pandemic hit.

Gerry was told he tested positive for Covid on December 31 and, in line with the government’s instructions, he immediately began to self-isolate.

But his condition deteriorated.

He kept telling people he was OK, but loved ones suspected something was not right.

When his daughter Gillian, 38, came to his door on January 10, she was so alarmed she immediately called 999.

Paramedics told Gerry “in no uncertain terms” that he was going with them to A&E.

He was soon moved to the hospital’s high-dependency unit, the first of two wards he chose to raise money for in appreciation for the care he received.

“I didn’t know how serious it had got,” he said, looking back at his hospitalisation.

“You hallucinate and everything.

"I couldn’t get out of bed.

“I made a recovery in the first week but I was not anywhere near fit.

"My family was told I was very unwell and they couldn’t guarantee I would pull through.”

Gerry was later moved to the hospital’s dedicated Covid ward, 5C, where he spent much of the rest of his stay in hospital.

“Staff were fantastic - so great,” he added.

“My chances were slim if it happened earlier in the pandemic, but the treatment was first class.”

Gerry says he still isn’t feeling 100 per cent but is working every day to get stronger.

He had originally set out to do a 15-mile walk but ended up doing a 20-mile stretch from Milngavie to Strathblane.

He said: “I decided if I could get fit enough, I would show my appreciation for everything that happened.

“Nothing was a problem for hospital staff.

"I feel good that I did this and gave something back to the NHS.”

Gerry thanked everybody who donated to his cause as well as his sister Frances, her friend Rosemary Leavy, and friend John Fanning, who joined him on the walk.

“I just want to say a special thanks to all my family and friends for all the support they have given in recent months, and for their donations,” he added.