Memory of grandfather inspires Stewart's charity feat

Stewart Muir, 16, has organised 16 charity events, ranging from sponsored walks to coffee mornings, in memory of his grandfather Andy Muir.

Along with his best friend, Stephen Oakes, who has helped him throughout his fundraising efforts, the teenager was set to collect the Macmillan Cancer Support's top award for young people, called the Young Macmillan Cancer Champion Award, today.

Stewart, from Whitburn, West Lothian, was just nine years old when his granddad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004, but as he grew older he helped look after him by getting him out of bed and washing him.

He also used to help administer the injections he needed to take for his diabetes.

Mr Muir was told in early 2008 that his cancer was terminal.

Stewart, who was just 13 when his granddad died, said: "I was very close to my granddad.

"He lived just down the road from me my whole life so I saw him all the time.

"When he was first diagnosed I was too young to really understand what was wrong - I didn't know how serious it was.

"However by the time I was 13 I understood that he was really ill and we knew he was going to die.

"I helped care for him in his last weeks.

"I didn't have to - I have a big family - but I really wanted to do that for him.

"I would help him get in and out of bed and help him get washed.

"He was diabetic and I even helped give him his injections.

"Although I knew he was going to die, it was still a real shock when it happened.

"It's not something you can really prepare yourself for."

On the first anniversary of his granddad's death, Stewart decided that he wanted to raise money for Macmillan's specialist nurses after seeing first-hand the work they do.

He and Stephen organised their first sponsored walk in April last year, followed by a second one this year, which brought in a total of 2,000.

Stewart said: "I roped in my friend Stephen and we organised a spare change day at school and raised over 400.

"Just a few weeks later we had a sponsored walk with around 30 people taking part.

"At first our families and the school were surprised but over the past few years we've done loads of different kinds of events with the same group of people who always help out."

Stewart, a fifth year pupil at Whitburn Academy, was shocked to discover his efforts had earned him the award.

He said: "I was really surprised to be given the award.

"I thought it must just be out of the young people in West Lothian so I was really shocked when I realised the award was across Scotland and Northern Ireland."I have really enjoyed fund- raising for Macmillan and think more teenagers should volunteer for charity.

"I can't really believe I've helped raise 8000 sometimes - I'm not really sure where it all came from."

Stewart and Stephen were due to be presented with their award by Enterprise Minister Jim Mather today.