‘I spent three weeks in a coma and nearly died – it inspired me to become a doctor’

Eshan Bilal, 18, contracted sepsis and pneumonia in 2022 and spent two months fighting for his life in hospital, including three weeks in an induced coma.

But now he is studying medicine at the University of St Andrews, which has been made possible in part by a bequest from a fund set up by philanthropist Edward Stocks Massey more than 100 years ago.

Eshan said his time in hospital will make him a better doctor as he knows “exactly how it feels to not be able to walk, feed yourself or breathe for yourself”. Eshan, of Burnley, added: “All my organs were inflamed, both of my lungs had collapsed, veins had collapsed. I was mute for a few weeks”

In March 2022, he was admitted to the Royal Blackburn Hospital after contracting pneumonia, but then transferred to the high dependency unit at Manchester Children’s Hospital.

When his condition deteriorated, he was moved to the intensive care unit where he was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. He had to learn to walk again.

Eshan always wanted to study medicine but said his experience has inspired him with a greater understanding of patients. He hopes to become a paediatric consultant. The Edward Stocks Massey scholarship means he can continue his voluntary work.

Edward Stocks Massey died in 1909 and left £135,000 in his will – the equivalent of £20million today – which is used to support the arts and education in Burnley.