A selfless teacher is taking on a gruelling marathon challenge to give back to a charity who helped one of her pupils.
Mel McLeod from Alloway Primary will be running the Loch Ness Marathon this Sunday to give back to Whiteleys Retreat, who offered respite care to pupil Marc Patterson, 7, following his cancer diagnosis two years ago.
Marc, now in P3, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in February 2020 aged four. He has endured over two years of intense treatment and still has 14 months left of it.
P2 teacher Mel taught Marc – who she hailed a ‘complete inspiration’ – last year as well as his older sister Sarah at the time of the youngster’s diagnosis.
She told Ayrshire Live: “At the time, I was his big sister Sarah’s teacher so I saw the impact it had on not only his parents but his older siblings too.
“The news was devastating and we knew he had a journey ahead of him.
“When I found out I was going to be his teacher, I knew I wanted to do something to thank a charity close to his family’s heart and Marc decided it would be Whiteleys Retreat.
“It was a no brainer, as it is just on our doorstep and it has given respite care to so many families as well as Marc’s."
Mum-of-two Mel said, as Marc’s teacher, she has watched the youngster ‘soldier on’ despite his tough cancer journey.
She said: “He has his own battles and controlling his emotions can be tough, especially on the days he’s on his steroids.
“Marc is a bright, funny boy with a great sense of humour.
“Some mornings he arrives at school and is in a lot of pain as his treatment has been intense but he soldiers on.
“Looking at him today, people would have no idea what he’s been through and is still going through.
“He makes me so proud and I am doing this marathon for him.”
Marc’s mum Colette added: “His treatment has been intense with daily chemo, bone marrow aspirations, lumber punctures, steroids, blood transfusions, however, Marc continues to make good progress and does it all with such bravery, humour and most of all that cheeky smile.
“We are so proud of him and everything he continues to fight for.”
Alloway Primary marked Childhood Cancer Awareness month on Friday with a Wear it Gold day. Pupils donned gold and yellow outfits to coin in as much money for Whiteleys as possible.
Mel will be running the marathon alongside two of her friends and have dubbed themselves ‘Marc’s Musketeers’.
You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mel-mcleod1
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