Lucia hopes film will raise awareness of killer disease

Lucia Frankitt was in the audience for the opening night of Starfish at The Curzon Theatre in Mayfair.

Starfish, which stars Downton Abbey actress Joanne Froggatt, tells the story of Tom and Nicola Ray, whose lives changed beyond recognition when in 1999 when 38-year-old Tom contracted septicaemia.

He survived but ended up having to have both legs and arms amputated and part of his face removed.

Sadly Lucia’s husband Kevin died when he contracted septicaemia following a botched operation in 2009.

Lucia, who runs San Marco’s restaurant on Lytham Road,South Shore, said; “I was invited to the premiere through the UK Sepsis Trust which I am a member of.

“It was a tragedy when Kevin died aged just 45 when if some simple tests had been carried out he could have survived.

“It has been very hard to adapt to the pain of losing him.

“Sadly people are still dying from sepsis, and sometimes they are even younger than Kevin.

“Starfish is a very emotional film with a very powerful message.

“Tom and Nicola have not made it because they want to be film stars, but because they want to draw attention to the devastation sepsis brings.

“Hopefully this will make people more aware of sepsis.

“I would say to anyone who falls ill and thinks they have the symptoms, don’t hesitate in going to the doctor and asking for a blood test.”

The film has been made by Genius Pictures and Jane Froggatt is also one of the producers.