A Dumfries boy who was sent to a Glasgow hospital suffering from a rare bone tumour has used the trip as inspiration to help others.
Brave Riley McGill, nine, was forced to visit the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after his worried mum discovered the mass in his mouth.
But big-hearted Riley was more concerned about other patients and has been inspired to embark on a challenge to raise cash for Maggie’s Centres after he saw one of the charity’s bases at the Glasgow hospital campus.
Mum Tammy said: “When we were at hospital, Riley saw the Maggie’s Centre and asked me what it was. He had obviously heard the word ‘tumour’ being used and he asked about Maggie’s.
“When we came back home he and I were just looking on Facebook when something came up about the Maggie’s Challenge and he asked if he and I could do it together.”
Riley was sent to hospital after Tammy discovered a large lump in his mouth as she tried to dislodge a piece of meat stuck in a tooth.
Specialists examined Riley and concluded that the lump was benign, although may require surgery.
Tammy said: “He had to go for MRIs and CAT scans and they found out it was a large tumour growing from his sinuses down into his mouth. We found out on Christmas Eve that it was non-malignant.
“We are still waiting to find out what they are going to do with it. It’s unusual because of where it is, they say they are usually found in the long bones in the body.”
The growth, caused by a bone aneurysm, only occurs in the head and neck in a very small percentage of cases.
Medics estimate that only around two per cent of such cysts are found in the head and neck and instances in the sinus region are described in medical literature as “extremely rare in the head and neck region and even rarer in sinuses”.
But despite his own setbacks, Riley was determined to undertake the Run50 Maggie’s Facebook Challenge, where entrants are asked to walk or run 50 miles in aid of the charity – which provides home-away-from-home centres for cancer sufferers undergoing treatment, so they don’t have to stay in hospital.
It also helps support sufferers of the disease and their families.
Tammy has been completing the challenge with her son, who has so far raised £2,300, including a substantial donation from Heston Rovers FC. Riley plays for the club’s 2011 team.
Riley has also had an unlikely ally during the challenge after popular janitor Emma Currie, from the youngster’s school, Cargenbridge Primary, decided to notch up the mileage as well to support him.
Tammy said: “Mrs C, as the kids call her, said she was inspired by Riley and decided to join in.
Emma was due to finish her part of the challenge yesterday – under Riley’s watchful eye.
