A DETERMINED dad is going the extra mile for his courageous son who is celebrating being five years cancer free.

Iain Blair, from Benview Road in the Port, said his world was turned upside down when his son Darren was diagnosed with life-threatening Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of just 16.

But the brave teenager, a former St Stephen's High pupil, won his cancer battle.

He is marking five years out of treatment and will no longer have to attend the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre for check-ups.

As a celebration, Iain will run 79 miles of the Rob Roy Way in aid of the Beatson Cancer Charity next month.

Iain, 41, said: "When Darren was diagnosed, I felt mainly shock at first.

"But Darren was so positive right from the start and that kept me positive.

"That's what has inspired me to do this run, seeing how positive Darren was.

"It makes you think how life can just grab hold of you and things change."

Back in October 2013, Darren was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma B2 after experiencing symptoms such as a sore shoulder, lumps and a bad chesty cough and night sweats.

After his diagnosis he underwent six months of chemotherapy and also attended the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow.

Iain added: "He was so strong and positive.

"After his treatment, he would bounce back after a couple of days.

"At one point he did get a blood clot which would have been very serious if left untreated.

"But he was totally fine through it all.

"People wouldn't have known that there was anything going on with him."

Darren, 21, is now thriving and his dad Iain says it is the best feeling in the world to see him happy and healthy.

He said: "It feels amazing.

"On the day of his last appointment I probably looked quite blank but inside my stomach was jumping for joy.

"It was quite emotional."

Since Darren's illness, Iain has completed several fundraising challenges but this is his biggest to date.

He said: "I did the Glencoe Marathon in 2016 but I didn't have much experience running so I ended up over hydrating myself and drinking too much fluid.

"So I went back and done it again in 2017 and I made sure I didn't drink too much so I really enjoyed it."

Now Iain is gearing up for the challenge of a lifetime - when he runs the 79 mile Rob Roy Way, from Drymen to Pitlochry on Friday May 10.

He said: "Obviously the challenge won't mimic what patients go through, it does not come close to that scale at all.

"I think it'll give me some insight into the challenges faced but on a smaller scale as the run is going to hurt at points and there's going to be ups and downs.

"I asked Darren what charity I should run for and he's picked the Beatson.

"I would like to raise as much money as we possibly can to help them continue the amazing service they provide."

Iain said his son's bravery will keep him going to the end of the mammoth 18 hour run.

He added: "Seeing Darren being so strong makes me think I've got to do a wee bit more and get out there.

"He's inspired me.

"It's a solo run but I'll have a support team with me, my parents Liz and Iain will be there and my girlfriend Claire.

"Darren and Justin, my youngest son, will be there too at the end so that'll keep me going."

Since leaving school, Darren is working with Clyde Marine Training.

Iain said: "He started there in January and he's loving it."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Iain can do so online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/iain-blair1