North-east youngster takes on 10K challenge to support dad's cancer therapy
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A kind-hearted schoolboy will put his best foot forward to help his dad and other cancer patients in the north-east.
Campbell Cummings has challenged himself to walk 10K around Duthie Park in Aberdeen next month to raise money for Friends of ANCHOR.
He came up with the idea while on one of his regular walks with his dad Steven, who has been receiving treatment on the ANCHOR Unit for acute myeloid leukaemia.
The seven-year-old, from Portlethen, will do loops of the park until he hits his 10K target on Sunday, December 17 and is encouraging others to join him. Already he has smashed his £300 target – with more than £1400 in in the pot.
Proud dad Steven said: “I try to keep fit and help myself, and Campbell likes to go out for walks at night with me. I’ve got a double adapter for my phone so we put that on and listen to music and chat.
“We usually go by the golf course in Portlethen, or through Hillside and Findon.
“We were out one night and talking about my 40th birthday party, where we raised money for Friends of ANCHOR. Campbell was involved in that too but said he wanted to do something else to raise money before Christmas, and suggested a walk.
"Obviously I said ‘let’s go for it’.”
Big brother 12-year-old Leo will be among those supporting his efforts on December 17.
The Portlethen Primary School pupil, who likes playing football and golf, said: “I want to make a difference in the hospital for cancer patients.
“Walking is important to me and my dad. We go out together at night so I thought this would be a nice way to help other people like my daddy.
“I hope we can get to £1000, I’d be so happy. Some of my friends have already sponsored me, so fingers crossed more people do too – or come and walk with us.”
Mr Cummings, who is married to Laura, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in September 2022. He underwent a stem cell transplant in Glasgow in March, and has also had intensive chemotherapy at the ANCHOR Unit.
A keen walker himself, he became a familiar face among other patients while doing laps around the ward to pass the time.
Even after developing neutropenic sepsis, resulting in a further two week stay in hospital, Mr Cummings was back on his feet quickly – climbing Bennachie with Campbell and Leo a week after getting home.
Although training for the December challenge won’t take them to such great heights, Campbell and his dad will be doing some extra walks and some practice laps of Duthie Park.
The challenge will begin at 10am on December 17.
