Son and friends take on mammoth walk in aid of Ardgowan Hospice as mum undergoes cancer treatment

Hazel Gallacher from Gourock, who has breast cancer, is touched that her 16-year-old son Scott and his friends from Clydeview Academy - Bailey Thompson, Andrew McVey, Peter McVey and Kian Taylor - are raising money for the hospice.

The lads will today walk 27 miles round the Isle of Bute - The West Island Way - to help the hospice look after patients.

Hazel, who lives in Larkfield Road, said: "It's such a kind gesture.

"They are a really good bunch of friends.

"When I was first diagnosed they sent Scott a lovely card to say they were there for him.

"I think in this day and age, everybody looks at boys and thinks they're just into their music and they want to do their own thing.

"But they are such a great bunch of friends, really good."

Hazel's son Scott added: "My mum is so strong, even though she's undergoing treatment and it makes her tired.

"She's still out and about in the town doing her shopping.

"My friends have been really supportive.

"They have stopped me from breaking down and I don't know where I would be without them."

Hazel, who works as an administrator in the social work department in Port Glasgow and is married to husband Ian, was diagnosed in March.

She said: "It was a shock.

"I just had swelling under my armpit.

"I attended the one stop clinic at the IRH and they do everything in the one day.

"I got all the tests, mammogram, scans and a biopsy all on the same day.

"Everything moved quickly, which was great, and I went back the following week where they tell you if it's cancer.

"I was lucky enough to go to the IRH for treatment."

Hazel, 60, has undergone chemotherapy and is awaiting a lumpectomy in September and potentially radiotherapy treatment too.

She added: "The girls up in F South at the IRH are absolutely brilliant.

"They take the fear out of everything and can't do enough for you.

"The volunteers are also amazing, especially Dot and Jimmy who take the tea trolley round."

During his mum's treatment, Scott and his dad Ian have been taking good care of Hazel.

Scott said: "I want to help my mum in any way I can.

"Even in the house, I do more than usual - I go the extra mile for her."

Scott says he feels lucky to have such good friends.

They are all going into sixth year at Clydeview Academy next week apart from Andrew, 17, who is hoping to get into the Royal Air Force next month.

Andrew says the hospice is a place which is very close to his heart too, as his aunt Lorna Beaton received incredible support at the facility before she sadly passed away on May 15 this year.

He said: "We wanted to help Scott's mum Hazel so we decided to raise some money for her.

"When we asked her about it she said that any money raised could be donated to Ardgowan Hospice.

"We set up a fundraising page on Facebook which started with £50 and we've now raised £528."

Bailey, 16, from Greenock, added: "It just shows you that people will support each other, even people who don't know anything about it.

"It's good to see."

Hazel says that despite her gruelling treatment, she feels very upbeat.

She added: "Everything is going great.

"I had my last chemo on Wednesday, so fingers crossed.

"My husband Ian has been really great, he's so strong and supportive."

* To pledge to the page set up by Scott and his pals search on Facebook for 'Andrew's fundraiser for Ardgowan Hospice'. Anyone who would like to donate can do so online.