A simple song could help save the life of a young cancer fighter who’s lost the ability to smile.
When Scots musician Jim Duncan heard Charlie IIsley’s story, he knew he had to do something.
Charlie, 12, battled medulloblastoma twice, having tumours removed in his brain and then his spine two years later.
As a result, the schoolboy from Reading can’t see out his left eye, has stopped growing and is unable to smile after suffering from Bell’s palsy.
His story featured in Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer series and pulled on Jim from Biggar’s heartstrings.
Jim, 40, told the Daily Record: “Earlier this year, I was watching the Great British Bake Off but it was a Stand Up to Cancer special.
“Charlie came on the TV and I immediately wanted to help.”
Sat in a hospital ward in Turkey, Charlie’s mum Toni, 49, was supporting the youngster as he underwent high-dose chemotherapy to treat his second bout of cancer.
Toni, a pharmacy worker, said: “Charlie was going through intense treatment when the cancer came back in his spine.
“We’d raised £110,000 for specialist treatment in Turkey that wasn’t available on the NHS and eventually saved his life. Channel 4 called telling us about Jim and it went from there.”
After Charlie was given the all clear in May this year, Toni, dad Mark, 51, sister Jessica, 30, and brother Ollie, 22, had another fundraising challenge.
“We need £47,000 to get treatment in Germany,” Toni said. “This will help prevent the cancer from coming back, giving Charlie a fighting chance.
“From there, Jim stepped in with the song.”
From his home in Biggar, Lanarkshire, Jim composed Charlie’s Song to raise cash.
He said: “I spoke with Toni and learned that Charlie is into gaming, swimming and superheroes, which I incorporated into the song.”
Toni added: “Charlie loved it. Thanks to Jim.”
