THE wife of a former Kilwinning primary school janitor has been left astounded by the "overwhelming" support her husband has received.

It comes after they hosted an event to mark one year since Henry Parrott received life-saving surgery.

The ex-St Winning's janitor - known by many as 'Mr P' - initially took early retirement in late-2020 after falling ill with what was suspected to be pulmonary fibrosis,  a condition in which the lungs become scarred over time.

The 59-year-old was placed on a transplant waiting list at the beginning of 2023 and, after a previously arranged operation fell through, he got his new lung in November of that year.

The procedure, which was carried out at Freeman's Heart and Lung Transplant Hospital in Newcastle, came just in time for Henry who has since been told by surgeons that he had little time left if it had not gone ahead.

His wife, Pauline, explained: “Henry is living his life to the fullest at the moment, he’s lived that extra year we wouldn’t expect.

“He only had two weeks to live, and look now, it’s incredible what they can do.”

(Image: Charlie Gilmour Photography)

To mark one year since the operation, the family organised a 'lungiversary' fundraiser which took place last weekend.

The event was hosted to raise cash for flats which are located at the hospital in Newcastle - where it cost families who are coming from all over just £10 to say in.

The flats are not run by the NHS and rely solely on donations to support families in their time of need.

The event was also an opportunity for the family to thank all those who have helped them along the way.

Pauline commented: “We had the party because Henry is coming up on a year since his transplant – but also to recognise his donor’s family because they will be grieving.

“We also wanted to give back to everyone that supported us through this, whether it was a phone call or bringing meals to the door.”

Following the event, it was confirmed that a fantastic £2,200 was raised - with all donations coming from a raffle held on the night.

Pauline added: “The amount of money we raised, from around 100 people there, it’s just phenomenal.

“Every raffle prize we didn’t have to put our hand in our pockets for – it was just family and friends giving.

“St Winning’s is quite a small school and they fundraised and brought in a £400 cheque.

“The cost-of-living nowadays is absolutely shocking but people can still donate all this money.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed, in fact, overwhelmed is an understatement.”