MOMENTUM is building across Hampshire to help a young dad who lost three limbs and parts of his face to a flesh-eating bug.

Messages of support, donations and offers to host fundraising events have flooded in from across the world since the Daily Echo exclusively told Alex Lewis’ heartbreaking story on Saturday.

Alex said he is overwhelmed by the response he has received from as far as Australia as he recovers in hospital after a common cold led to him fighting for survival in a coma when blood infection Group A streptococcus forced his organs to fail.

Despite surgeons having to amputate both legs as well as his left arm, and though he still has no sensation in his remaining hand following 16 hours of surgery, Alex remarkably kept positive and told how he realised how precious life was and can’t wait to walk again on prosthetic limbs with his three-year-old little boy Sam in the countryside with his dog Holly and partner Lucy Townsend.

And everyone from complete strangers to celebrities have been touched by his story and pledged to do everything they can to back the family’s plight.

There are just two days until hairdresser to the stars Guy Kremer will host the first fundraiser for the Daily Echo-backed Do It For Alex campaign to raise money for the Al Lewis Trust.

Alex will go for rehabilitation to a specialist unit in Roehampton but the family from Stockbridge have been forced to search for a new home and look at ways to re-establish Alex’s independence as he recovers.

Celebrities including TV chef James Martin and World Cup hopeful Jay Rodriguez will both go to the event on Saturday held at Guy’s salon in Parchment Street in Winchester from 4.30pm until 7.30pm.

The Saints striker will take along a pair of football boots signed by his teammates for the charity auction, which also features a day on a Sunseeker.

There will be a blow dry bootcamp where people can learn professional skills and get a goody bag from Guy in return for a £20 donation.

Hotel du Vin will serve non-alcoholic cocktails for a donation and there will also be a pop-up florist preparing bouquets.

Meanwhile former TV presenter Dickie Davies will host a fundraising golf day and US Open champion Justin Rose has even been in contact with the 34-year-old dad, whose passion is golf, to offer his support.

In just 48 hours of launching an online site there were more than £2,000 in donations.

Lucy, who runs Michelin Pub of the Year The Greyhound on the Test said the couple are overwhelmed at the public’s generosity. She said: “We can’t be thankful enough for all of the amazing and generous donations!”

 

How to support Alex:

  • Go to the website: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/diiy9/ab/2332U5.
  • Or send any donations to Mark Hooton Chartered Accountants, a trustee of the Al Lewis Trust, at 2 Butlers Close, Lockerley, SO51 0LY.
  • To send Alex a message he will read in hospital email allewistrust@gmail.com.