Brave Danny Flannigan proves inspirational to those taking part in Sunday's Race for Life
It was a day nine-year old Danny Flannigan and his parents thought he’d never see.
But the young cancer survivor proved the inspiration for 10,000 women on Sunday, joining curling legend Eve Muirhead on stage at Glasgow Green to bid them on their way at the start of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.
Danny and his brother Joe joined Eve and powered-up the crowd by leading them in the high five wave, which asks people to ‘donate’ their positive energy to the fight against cancer.
The aim is to generate 60,000 high fives - either at Race for Life events this summer or online - which ScottishPower will convert into a £35,000 donation to Cancer Research UK.
Meeting brave Danny and his wonderful brother Joe has really highlighted to me the amazing achievement of Glasgow’s ladies today
Eve said: “I lost my gran to cancer so I want to do everything I can to fight back against this devastating disease. That’s why I’m thrilled to be supporting ScottishPower and Cancer Research UK and to have witnessed Race for Life’s incredible pink army in action.
“Meeting brave Danny and his wonderful brother Joe has really highlighted to me the amazing achievement of Glasgow’s ladies today in raising vital funds to help families like the Flanigans spend more precious moments together.
“It was so inspiring to see thousands of women taking part in ScottishPower’s high five Wave, all united in their determination to help beat cancer sooner. I hope many more will be moved to back the campaign and sign up for Race for Life events taking place across Scotland this summer.”
Danny and Joe, of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, were guests of honour at Glasgow Green, the first of 13 Race for Life events taking place around Scotland until July.
A primary five pupil at St Bernard's Primary School, Danny was given the all-clear just two months ago after being diagnosed last November with Burkitts Lymphoma, a rare and particularly aggressive type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
Store worker mum Maria, 35, and primary teacher dad Colin, 36, say Danny's good response to treatment is everything they'd hoped and prayed for.
Maria said: “We're just so thankful to see our boy getting back to his old self. He's been through so much, but he's handled it all really well.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the ladies taking part in Race for Life because, it’s thanks to their efforts that Cancer Research UK scientists can continue in their work to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
