A 'CARING wee boy' who fought his own cancer battle is now supporting his gran as she goes through treatment for the illness too.
Callum Craig is in remission from a rare cancer that affects the muscle cells and the courageous 10-year-old is now raising cash for Cancer Research UK.
The schoolboy tackled a DIY sports day in his back garden with an egg and spoon race as well as a 100m sprint and a balancing act with a beanbag.
Now he’s dedicated his latest lockdown sports day challenge to his gran, Joyce Leith, who is being treated for breast cancer.
Mum Victoria, 42, said: “Callum is a caring wee boy and really close to his gran.
“He jumped at the chance to do something to help her and everyone who is going through cancer.
"All Callum ever wanted was to be a normal wee boy again after cancer.
"In fact even during cancer treatment Callum was still determined to be part of the school community and take part in sports day.
"We were proud that he awarded the prizes on the sports field that year during a time when he was in a wheelchair.
"That took courage and every year since, Callum has taken part in sports day at school.
"Last year he came in third in the running race, which was great.
"The whole world has been turned upside down by Covid-19 and I think most of the youngsters in Scotland will feel sad about missing school sports day this spring.
"It’s been a difficult few months so it’s good to have something fun to focus on.
“Charities like Cancer Research UK will be hit hard by the coronavirus, but we can all play a part – no matter how big or small – in supporting life-saving work right now.”
The Glasgow Times told in 2017 how Callum, from Auchinloch, had been in a wheelchair after cancer treatment left him too weak to walk.
Auchinloch Primary pupil Callum was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a race cancer that affects particular types of muscle cells in February 2016.
He had surgery then relied on a wheelchair to get around after 22 weeks of chemotherapy left him too weak to walk.
But he fought back to fitness and rang the end of treatment bell at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow in October that year after being given the all clear.
He has regular check ups and is doing well.
Now he's using the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Schools free kit packed full of tips, ideas and materials to help boost the home-school timetable during lockdown.
The charity is calling on families across Scotland to get involved and make a small donation to Cancer Research UK for the sports day pack, if they feel able to do so.
Callum, Victoria and dad Colin, 44, are keen to ensure that the fight against cancer can continue during these unprecedented times.
Callum has raised more than £1500 by taking part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Pretty Muddy Kids event in Glasgow in just three years.
The Race for Life Schools sports day pack is aimed at primary school children.
It is suitable for families and teachers who might be setting activities for PE lessons at home or caring for children in school.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, said: “We’re grateful for the generous support of our schools’ community who normally organise or take part in Race for Life events every summer.
“So at a time when we’re all having to keep apart, our message to parents and teachers is – we’re in this together.
“We hope our sports day pack will go some way to ensuring children don’t miss out on such an important milestone in the school year."
Organisers are inviting supporters to unite by sharing photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #RFLSportsDay.
To get involved visit raceforlife.org/sportsday.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here