AN inspirational schoolgirl who is among the first in Scotland to take part in a new clinical trial has been chosen to open a superstore dedicated to saving lives.  

Fearne Stewart, who is from Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, was guest of honour at the launch of Cancer Research UK’s new superstore at Crown Street Retail Park in Glasgow.

The five-year-old, who is in remission from leukaemia, joined scientist Professor Victoria Cowling to cut the ribbon at the ceremony on Wednesday, October 9.

Fearne is on the UK arm of the AllTogether-1 clinical trial, an international study funded by Cancer Research UK involving patients from countries across Europe.

It investigates how to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia more effectively.

(Image: Steve Welsh) The overall aim is to give each child or young adult the right amount of treatment to cure their leukaemia and stop it coming back, while keeping the side effects as low as possible. 

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(Image: Steve Welsh)

Fearne’s dad, Gary, opened up on the struggles family went through when their daughter was first diagnosed.

He said: "Fearne was only four at the time [when she first became ill].

“We told her that she had a bug in her blood and that the doctors were going to make her better.

"Our son Joseph was still a baby then so Paula [Fearne's mum] and I had to take turns sleeping at her bedside in hospital while the other parent looked after Joseph. 

“Fearne had beautiful long hair when she was diagnosed and we had to explain to her that the chemotherapy treatment she needed meant that she would lose her hair.

"We thought she would be very upset but actually she adapted well.

"When she felt well enough Fearne was first in the playroom at hospital and we decided early on that if she was fine then we had to be too.

"There were a few wobbles of confidence but Fearne took on everything that was thrown at her and mostly with a smile.” (Image: Steve Welsh) Fearne is scheduled to complete her chemotherapy in June 2025 and since her diagnosis has started primary school and swimming lessons.

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Gary explained how his daughter has not let her condition hold her back.

He continued: “We’re so proud of Fearne, of the resilience our daughter has shown and of her determination during some of the most difficult times in hospital. 

“She’s a chatterbox, enjoying primary one at school, has joined the Rainbow guides and started swimming lessons.

"She’s come so far in a year. Despite everything she has been through she is still keen to help others.

(Image: Steve Welsh) "She was already thinking of selling homemade lemonade to raise money to help others so she loves the thought of being able to donate some of her toys and books to the superstore and to do some shopping herself too.

"And as a family we’re glad to have the opportunity to give something back.”  

Professor Cowling has been awarded a grant of £214,492 by Cancer Research UK to find a way to “shoot the messenger” that allows cells to grow in the wrong place in the bowel, which can lead to cancerous tumours.

Her team is examining the role DNA and its biological messaging system RNA play in the development of cancer in the bowel. 

She added: "At the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute we are working hard to improve how we treat cancer.

"Every year we are making discoveries which help develop new therapies and improve existing treatments for cancer.

"We can only do our research because of the money raised in the CRUK shops and through fundraising events and donations.

"All our research team are grateful to people across Scotland who give so generously.”