Scotland's toughest grandad

He’s suffered two heart attacks, a quadruple bypass and multiple strokes, so when Tam Dempsey was hit with Covid-19 his family feared the worst, but as KATHLEEN SPEIRS discovers, this 75-year-old is an absolute warrior

- KATHLEEN SPEIRS

A GRANDFATHER dubbed a “warrior” has survived two heart attacks, a quadruple bypass, severe haemorrhaging, multiple strokes and now coronavirus in just six months.

Pensioner Tam Dempsey’s family have been preparing for the worst since he first suffered heart attacks in October last year, before being struck down with a number of other serious health problems.

And after the 75-year-old from Linwood, Renfrewshire, was diagnosed with coronavirus on March 18, his family got ready to say their final goodbyes.

But the Celtic daft dad-of-three has defied and astounded medics by bouncing back once again.

On March 25, Tam’s tests came back clear – the coronavirus was gone.

His daughter Louise, 48, hopes her dad’s incredible survival story inspires others during a time of such uncertainty.

The charity founder from Johnstone said: “My dad is an absolute warrior.

“There were many times when we thought we’d lose him but he just kept fighting.”