East Coast FM founder Ian Robertson has part of leg amputated

Ian Robertson had travelled to the Greek island of Kos last August with his wife Margaret, three daughters and three grandchildren (see image below).

However, on just the third day, he suffered a cut under the big toe on his right foot which would change his life forever.

WARNING: Graphic image of injury below

He said: “It was the first time ever we had a total family holiday and we were looking forward to it so much.

“We had our own apartments but got ready together and my wife Margaret and daughters were ready and went down to dinner.

“I was at the tail end and getting a shower and said I would catch up.

“I came out of the shower and unseen to me – and I cannot complain about the hotel room – there was one tile which was raised and had a razor sharp edge.

“You could not see that and I did not see how bad it was but it took the skin from under my big toe from the joint on the foot right to the top of the toe.

“There was a big flapping bit of skin and blood was everywhere.”

Former Whitecraig residents Ian and Margaret, who now live in Carrington, near Bonnyrigg, contacted the hotel reception about the injury, which happened on the family’s third night on the Greek island.

Ian, 69, who founded Haddington-based East Coast FM, where he is station manager, was unable to get any medical treatment until the Sunday and then Monday.

Bandages were applied and he was urged to keep it out of the water.

Upon returning home from the fortnight break, Ian visited his doctor but that was just the start of his problems. Trips to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh after concerns about an infection and the wound failing to heal eventually lead to his leg being amputated below the knee in January.

Ian, who also works as a support worker, described it as “soul destroying” being unable to walk.

He told the Courier: “I was seriously depressed.

“I have never been depressed in my life but at that time I was quite depressed and really, really down.

“I tried to hide it from my family – not very successfully – but it got to the stage where I was wishing I was not there.”

The operation took place on January 23, with Ian pleased to say things were already looking brighter.

He said: “I woke up a different man.

“My whole attitude had changed and I felt a million dollars.

“Everybody says that I have been a different person. I do feel very, very positive about it all.”

Already, Ian has started walking with a prosthetic limb, which he hopes will boost his independence.

However, he was stunned to learn he was not entitled to any disability benefits because of his age.

He has contacted East Lothian’s MP Kenny MacAskill about the issue and vowed to take the matter further.

One of the other steps to further enhance his independence would be alterations to his car.

Ian’s friend Frank Mitchell has set up an online fundraising page where people can make a donation.

The money raised will go towards converting Ian’s Ford B-Max so that it can be controlled by hand.

Already, more than £1,600 has been donated, which has humbled Ian.

Ian, who has continued to host a Friday show on the radio station, said: “The whole thing and looking at people’s responses, and I have had people on the phone, has made me feel very humble.

“I cannot believe the support people have given me.When I look at the amount of money people are putting in – £30, £50, £100 – I cannot believe it.

“There are hundreds of thousands of charities going about looking for help and people are thinking enough of what I am going through to do that. I cannot thank them enough.”

To support Ian, go to gofundme.com/f/help-ian-get-mobile