'He has been through so much' - Glasgow toddler's bike boost after rare cancer battle

It is bright blue and brand spanking new, with smart red handles and pedals, and his parents – Suzanne and Harry – joke they can hardly keep up.

“He’s getting back to much more like himself, now,” says Suzanne. “He’s had not had much energy, so it’s good to see him getting out on the bike when the weather is good.”

Watching Finlay zip about on his new set of wheels, provided by charity Cyclists Fighting Cancer and Glasgow bike shop Billy Bilsland, you would never know what the three-year-old from Ruchill has been through this year.

In January he was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a very rare type of liver cancer which typically affects children under the age of three.

“At first, we thought it was just a urine infection, so it was a huge shock to be told Finlay had cancer,” says Suzanne.

“Recently, we were told it had spread to his lungs.”

She pauses. “The Children’s Hospital have been amazing every step of the way. I think it was the speed with which everything happened after the diagnosis that took us by surprise.

“Finlay has been through such a lot – biopsies, blood tests, chemotherapy for five weeks – and yet, you’d never know it to look at him. We’re so proud of him.”

Cyclists Fighting Cancer provides bikes and trikes to children with cancer throughout the UK, to help them in their rehabilitation by getting active, reducing anxiety and stress and socialising with friends and family again.

The Stratford-upon-Avon-based charity has recently partnered with Billy Bilsland, Glasgow’s famous bike shop on Saltmarket, who have generously offered to build and deliver the bikes for Scottish children.

Neil Bilsland said: “When Cyclists Fighting Cancer approached us and asked us to build the bikes it was an instant yes - how could it be anything else?

“Originally they asked us to build and deliver bikes in the Glasgow area, but we offered to cover all of Scotland to help them out.”

He smiles: “I’ve always said that we’re trying to make the world a better place one bicycle at a time. Seeing small, smiley faces with their new bikes is so heartwarming and hopefully getting their new bikes will help the kids on the road to recovery.”

Rachel Wignell at Cyclists Fighting Cancer said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Neil and all his team for their amazing support in helping us build and deliver our bikes to children living with and beyond cancer throughout Scotland.

“Their invaluable assistance means we can continue to help incredible children just like Finlay during and after their cancer treatment, enabling them to get active outside, increase their strength and confidence and have some fun.”

Finlay and his big brother and sister Dylan, 13, and Grace, eight, have already been out cycling together although, as Suzanne points out, the weather is making it a little more difficult.

“Finlay was so excited when he got his new bike,” smiles Suzanne. “Neil and everyone at the shop were brilliant – they even put a huge bow on the bike, which was lovely.

“When you’re going through something like this as a family, these kindnesses and small things people do mean such a lot. We’re really grateful to Cyclists Fighting Cancer, they have been fantastic.

“Grace loves cycling too so she has been out playing with Finlay.”

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Suzanne laughs: “In the spring, we’ll hopefully all get out as a family to the park – I might even brush the dust off my own bike which has been sitting in the shed for a while.”

Suzanne and Harry visit the children’s hospital regularly for Finlay’s check-ups and treatment.

“We know there is a long road ahead of us but we are just taking each day as it comes,” says Suzanne.

“We are very positive, of course we have to be. When you look at Finlay and the way he is coping despite everything he is going through, there is just no other way to be.”

For more information visit cyclistsfc.org.uk