Ayr Family Could Be Charity Champs

Aug 1 2008

A DEVOTED family are in the running to be named Scotland’s top fundraisers after their son’s miracle battle with illness.

Eileen and Shaun Granger will be heralded as national heroes for their charity efforts.

The couple, whose son Ross was the country’s first child to be treated for Bilateral Wilms tumours, have raised £65,000 for CLIC Sargent.

And as they rocket towards their £100,000 target, the proud parents have been nominated for the Big Hearted Scotland award.

They’ll learn their fate at glittering ceremony hosted by TV newsreader Jackie Bird in September.

But the couple insist a healthy, bouncing Ross means more to them than any award.

Eileen, 38, admitted: “We were stunned when we got the letter to say we’d been nominated and it came as a real surprise. Ever since Ross became ill, we’ve put so much effort into fundraising for CLIC Sargent.

“We should have £100,000 by the end of the year and it’s just amazing to look at Ross now and see him running around.

“He goes for four-monthly check-ups and will start at Heathfield Primary next month. His progress has been amazing.”

Ross, 5, was diagnosed with tumours in both kidneys before his first birthday and battled through eight operations to survive.

Surgery to remove the tumours, which were the size of soft drink cans, proved successful after medics from Belgium were drafted in to offer advice.

And the Grangers have been fundraising for the children’s cancer home at Malcolm Sargent in Prestwick ever since.

Shaun, of Ayr, revealed: “I started the Boxing Day dip in 2006 and that’s already become a big hit. It will easily allow us to pass the £100,000 mark this year.”

The next fundraising stunt on Eileen’s calendar is a daring zipslide challenge across the River Clyde on August 24.

And she’s going head to head with CLIC’s May Gilchrist – the woman who nominated the Grangers for their award – to see who can raise the most money on the day.

Eileen laughed: “I’m thrashing her at the moment by more than £1000. I don’t think she was expecting that.”

And May admitted: “I’m being roundly trounced, as well as being petrified of doing the challenge.

“But what can I say about Eileen and Shaun that I haven’t already said?

“They’ve been tremendous for the charity and fully deserve their nomination.”