Obituary: Billy Strathdee, fundraiser, 47

TRIBUTES have been paid to Billy Strathdee, an inspirational fundraiser, after the 47-year-old died suddenly in hospital.

Friends have told how the one-legged man from East Lothian was more “able bodied” than most people with two legs.

He passed away suddenly at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary earlier this month following a blood clot.

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Despite losing his leg in a car accident in 1993, the former soldier from Dunbar spent his life working for PoppyScotland’s Lady Haig’s factory and took on daring fundraising challenges.

In September, he planned to swim the English Channel and run to John O’Groats with friends.

He spent four years preparing for the bid, which had already raised thousands of pounds for the charity he was so committed to.

Friend Gareth Howells, who was to take on the event along with his sister, said: “I met him a couple of years ago and was just blown away by him. He was one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met.

“Even though he only had one leg, he was the most able-bodied person I’ve ever met. He could do anything.

“Nothing would hold him back. He actually had several legs – one for running, one for cycling, one for walking.

“His kindness and generosity was incredible, he was a real character and had such a dry wit.”

Mr Howells added that Billy always said he should have died after the car crash, with the former private in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers saying he was lucky to be alive.

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“He told me that when the ambulance arrived they actually thought there was two people inside because he was in such a mess,” he said. “So they sent two ambulances with two lots of blood for a transfusion and that’s actually what saved his life.”

Because of his injury and his military background, he felt a particular empathy for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with permanent injuries.

A spokesman for PoppyScotland said: “Despite his disability, Billy took part in many physical endurance events.

“He had been training for a remarkable challenge he had set himself, which involved swimming the English Channel, cycling to Grangemouth and then running to John O’Groats in order to raise funds for PoppyScotland.

“He had been preparing for this for four years and was due to undertake the challenge in September.

“Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go out to Billy’s wife and children.

“Billy will always be remembered by his friends and colleagues at PoppyScotland and Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory.”

The event will now be cancelled, with money already raised being given to PoppyScotland. Mr Howells added: “It wouldn’t have felt right doing it without him.”

He is survived by his wife and two children.

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