An incredible fundraising effort from an Ayrshire primary school has been inspired by a remarkable pupil whose dad is battling cancer.
St Ninian’s Primary in Prestwick have coined in more than £5,600 for vital cancer care service the Beatson.
The school has rallied around one of their own, primary four pupil Kate Lawlor, who at just seven-year-old took in £2,700 from her own sponsor sheet.
The inspiring pupil is a rock to her dad who has been battling cancer before she was even born.
The 38-year-old was diagnosed with a melanoma whilst wife Avril, also 38, was pregnant with Kate.
The stage four cancer was kept at bay for years until the family were told it had returned to his stomach in the summer.
The news of the setback reached the school who have recently moved into Prestwick’s super campus with adjoining Glenburn Primary.
Mum-of-two Avril told Ayrshire Live: “When I was six weeks pregnant, Kate’s dad was diagnosed with Stage four melanoma, he’s been a patient with the Beatson ever since.
“He’s been really stable and well for years but at the beginning of the summer he had a recurrence of his melanoma which spread to his stomach.
“The school have always been very aware of his sickness over the years. They decided this year to fundraise to support Kate.
“It just became this big thing that everyone got behind it has been amazing to see.
“Kate worked to hard to get as many donations as she could.”
Donations poured in from family, friends and neighbours. Avril, who works as a nurse at Ayr Hospital, also praised colleagues at the Combined Assessment Unit who dug deep to help Kate.
Staff and pupils embarked on a huge fundraising challenge to support the Glasgow cancer facility last month.
A special fundraising day was held inside the school's sports hall after bad weather hampered plans for an outdoor event.
But not even a heavy downpour could stop the school from racing towards an incredible total.
And the school was backed by local secondary school Queen Margaret Academy with pupils offering their help, including Kate’s big sister and former St Ninian’s pupil Lola, 13, who is now in first year at the Ayr school.
QMA pupils sold cakes to top up the total and then their S6 Sport Leaders came along to help run fun activities including a parent and child fitness session.
St Ninian’s' "incredibly proud" head teacher, Jacqueline McPeake, heaped praise on Kate and her pupils.
Mrs McPeake said: “Kate is incredible, she is an inspiration.
“I am immensely proud of her and all the whole school community. This fundraiser was something that was from the heart and important to support one of our own.
“Everyone has gone over and above and we are very fortunate to have such an amazing backing from all the families.”
The funds will go towards the Beatson who have been an incredible support to Kate’s dad and her family.
Avril added: “The staff at the Beatson are so supportive and you feel safe when you are there, you know they are looking after you and have your best interests.
“We can’t thank Mrs McPeake and the whole school enough. It has been such a support to us during a challenging time.
“To have them all rally around us means so much, we are forever grateful to St Ninian's and the Prestwick community.”
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