SWINDON rocker Steve Grimmett, who has been in hospital in Ecuador for the last month after having part of his leg amputated, is set to come home next week.

Steve, 57 was on a five-week tour of South America when he started to feel unwell and all gigs with his band Grim Reaper were put on hold.

In the days that followed, a small infected wound on the bottom of Steve’s foot spread to his bones and resulted in doctors in Guayaquil amputating part of his leg above the knee.

Since then, thousands of Steve’s fans have donated money to pay for his medical bills after his insurance company refused to pay due to pre-existing diabetes.

Now, after five operations, Steve is being allowed to fly home next Wednesday and is set to return to his West Swindon home on Thursday.

Feeling helpless that he couldn’t help his friend stranded over 9,00km away, Brian Keen, from Riff’s Bar, decided to organise a fundraising gig, on April 1, for Steve to add to the money pot.

“It is great news all round but he knows that even when he gets home, there is still a long way to go,” he said.

“The reason for the delay is that doctors had to close the wound and it was from that point on where the 10 day clock [from when he can fly home] started to count down from.

“Despite everything, he is still upbeat although he is in quite a bit of pain because it is now starting to heal.

"He’s been able to come out of hospital over there and stay with his wife Millie in a hotel and now it is a matter of waiting.”

Steve’s wife Millie, 38 rushed to his bedside and has been updating family, friends and fans of Steve’s band on Facebook about his condition.

In her latest post on Wednesday evening, she was able to break the news of Steve’s homecoming: “Good news. We are flying home next Wednesday (15th) and will be back in the UK Thursday (16th).”

The fundraising gig is all set for April 1 and Brian is remain tight-lipped over the headliner act but promises rock fans that the event will be full of great music.

He added: “The line-up so far is absolutely amazing and it will be a great day of music for people who come along. To any rock fan, it is going to be a great day out and we are getting some really good raffle prizes lined up as well.

“Steve is fully intending to come along to it and he wouldn’t want to miss it for anything.

“Steve and Millie will benefit from every penny that is donated because when they come back, they have to pay off the medical bills as well as convert their home to accommodate for his life-changing injury.”

As well as the gig, a fundraising page was also set up for Steve which has now raised nearly $14,000 to help contribute to medical bills as well as paying for the intensive physiotherapy Steve will need.

For details on the gig visit the Facebook page here