A GOUROCK schoolboy who is battling leukaemia made it out of hospital to lead a record breaking 7,000-strong crowd in this year’s Kiltwalk.

Nathan Mowat, the six-year-old who inspired last year’s Tele-backed Glow Gold childhood cancer support campaign in the area, joined Sir Tom Hunter at the starting line for the charity 23 mile trek from Glasgow.

His mum Gill Mowat organised a team to take part in the challenge in aid of cancer charity Callum’s Cabin, as a thank-you for their support since Nathan was diagnosed nearly three years ago.

Sir Tom, who organises the Kiltwalk and is a big supporter of the charity, invited Nathan and his mum to join him.

Gill, who is back in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children with Nathan, said: “It was a very emotional day for us all.

“Nathan was in hospital last week because of suspected chicken pox.

“While we were in hospital I was phoned by Calum’s Cabin to ask if Nathan could do this with Sir Tom Hunter, who we have met before through Calum’s Cabin.

“I never tell Nathan in advance because I don’t want to disappoint him if he can’t make things but he was discharged from hospital on Friday, just in time.

“He enjoyed taking part but was a little worried about how far he would have to walk!”

Unfortunately Nathan woke up with spots the day after the Kiltwalk and had to return to hospital, where he might have to stay for up to five days.

Nathan is still undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and if his temperature spikes or he comes in to contact with infections or illnesses of any kind it can be extremely dangerous.

But last Sunday his family proudly looked on as he took part in Kiltwalk with many others from Inverclyde.

Gill volunteers to help Calum’s Cabin and by taking part in the Kiltwalk her family have raised £2,500.

Gill and husband Paul, young Nathan and his four-year-old sister Annabel have all benefited from using the holiday retreat run in Rothesay by Calum’s Cabin.

It was set up in memory of Calum Spiers, who lost his battle with cancer aged only 12.

Gill has paid tribute to Calum’s mum Caroline, dad Duncan and his twin sister Jenna for the work they do to help other families

She said: “I don’t know what we would do without Calum’s Cabin, they are amazing.

“I feel a real bond with Caroline as a mum, she is an inspiration and always there for us.

“People say to me ‘I don’t know how you do it’, but I still have Nathan, and I don’t know how Caroline does it.”