TWO Wee County eight-year-olds are set to take on a muddy obstacle course in a bid to help beat cancer, following a devastating diagnosis in the family.
Emily Brisbane and her friend Annie Westwood, both from Tullibody, will be at the Fife Pretty Muddy 5k event on May 12 and have already amazingly raised more than £2,100 for Cancer Research UK as a team.
The St Serf's PS pupils decided to take the challenge on after Emily's dad, Andrew Brisbane, was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer a few months ago.
Unfortunately, doctors predict Andrew only has around a year to live, but the 46-year-old is bravely fighting the disease.
He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, supported by the doctors and nurses at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow.
It continues to be a challenging time for the family, but little Emily has found strength from strife and decided to help by raising funds for research, supported by her pal Annie and her mother Lindsey Westwood.
Clare Brisbane, Emily's mum, told the Advertiser: “I'm very, very proud.
“She's taking it in her stride.
“We had to tell her that dad had cancer – we got a lot of help from the Maggie's Centre at Larbert, they helped explain to Emily all about cancer.
“They've been a big part of it, helping us and helping my daughter understand what cancer actually is.”
The family has been “absolutely overwhelmed” by the support so far and thanked everyone for donating so much in such a short period of time, saying it means a lot.
The diagnosis came not long after Christmas with Clare explaining: “My husband was having issues with his stomach and he was struggling to eat.
“He went up to the hospital, got a scan and they basically told him he has stage four, incurable stomach cancer.”
She added: "Roughly they reckon he'll probably have maybe a year with the cancer he currently has. We are just hoping and praying for more and hoping for the best."
Speaking about her “rock of a husband”, Clare said: “He is starting to come to terms with it now as well and you've got to fight these things and try your best.
“This is him now in his second round of chemo and he is a lot more positive this time around.”
On Sunday, May 12, Emily and Annie will take on a muddy obstacle course at Kirkcaldy's Beveridge Park.
There will be climbs, crawls and slides as individuals and families get muddy to raise funds for life-saving research.
Visit tinyurl.com/24vt942w to support the fundraiser.
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