Edinburgh school to take on marathon for pupil diagnosed with rare cancer
15-year-old Kieran has been undergoing treatment for Ewing Sarcoma.
Last updated 26th May 2023
Students and teachers from Castlebrae High School are taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival this weekend to raise funds for a fellow pupil who is undergoing treatment for a rare cancer.
15-year-old Kieran Smart was diagnosed last year with Ewing Sarcoma, he'd been experiencing a sore leg.
Eventually doctors found the disease in his pelvis and hip.
After months of treatment Kieran is now awaiting a scan to confirm if he is in remission - with a plan in place for the youngster to return to school after the Summer if he's given the all clear.
The school has already raised £10k following a series of fun runs and other marathons around the world with Head Teacher, Norma Prentice, taking part in the London and Barcelona Marathons.
The money will go towards supporting Kieran's family and for a donation to the ward he's been cared for in.
Sadly, Norma got injured after the London Marathon so James McPartlin, a guidance teacher at the Niddrie school, was ready to volunteer to run the full marathon in her place.
Mr McPartlin told us how excited he is to take part in: “It’s been a year worth of events, cycles, walks, ending of with the marathon. It’s came on thick and fast. We’re all slightly nervous about the prospect of running long distances but we’re really looking forward to getting it done.”
Also taking part in various events over the weekend are six pupils and staff doing the 5K, three staff members doing the 10k, as well as six members of staff doing the half and full marathons.
Kieran's mum, Leanne, said: “The school has been amazing, they are our second family now. From the community to the kids, the teachers and the staff raisin gall this money it just been amazing.”
She added: “It’s great that everyone is willing but now are main aim is to make people aware of cancer in teenagers.”
You can find out more about the fundraising efforts here.