Young cancer survivor launches Cancer Research summer fundraiser
An eight-year-old Glasgow cancer survivor is squaring up to his little brother for a food fight to highlight BBQ for Cancer Research UK this July.
Lewis Archibald and his brother Arran, aged six, pose with squeezy tomato ketchup and mustard bottles before commencing a colourful condiment contest to decide on the best sauce.
As the flavours fly, the brothers are encouraging people across Scotland to hold their own BBQs to cook up cash for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.
The campaign calls on supporters to host a BBQ any time this July, or join in the ‘Big BBQ Weekend’ on 11-12 July.
In a survey for Cancer Research UK, there is a clear winner for BBQ-ers in Scotland – with 48% of people choosing ketchup as the most important BBQ condiment, and mustard scooping just 4% of the vote.
Lewis was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia just 57 days after his brother Arran was born.
That was on the 27 July 2009 when Lewis, who lives in Glasgow with his parents Claire Mahoney and Michael Archibald, was just two-years-old.
Claire, 28, of Finnieston, Glasgow, said: “At the time Lewis was diagnosed, we just couldn’t believe it.
"He’d not been himself for a little while and I was really worried, but leukaemia was something that hadn’t even entered our minds. It was a total shock.”
However, the youngster has been going from strength to strength since being given the all clear in October 2012.
Claire said: “The day we were told Lewis was in remission was so special to us. And to know he would no longer need treatment was a huge relief. To celebrate, we went to a Disney On Ice show. To be there as a family with two healthy kids meant everything.
“Now we are determined to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK to help beat this devastating disease.”
Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK spokesperson in Scotland, said: “We’d like to thank Lewis and Arran for getting in the BBQ spirit and helping to turn up the heat on cancer.”
The charity’s BBQ pack contains everything supporters need to plan their perfect BBQ, including recipe ideas, invitations, top tips, decorations, posters and much more.
