Who better to be a cancer nurse than someone who has beaten leukaemia?

Mum backs appeal to bring more clinical trials to Scotland

– opened 21 years ago. Now married to Robin, 37, and mum to Ruaraidh, 11, and Abby, eight, Claire says the ward, which has moved to the new Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, still holds a special place in her heart.

She said: “My named nurse was Eve Kerrigan, Jane Keenan (now Belmore) was my Macmillan nurse and my consultant was Dr Brenda Gibson, now professor and OBE.

“They are all fantastic ladies who had to endure a lot from a stroppy teenager. Undoubtedly I have Dr Gibson and her team to thank for saving my life.

“She is the most caring, intelligent and all-round wonderful person that I could have hoped to be in charge of my care.

“She is an absolute legend to me and my family.

“I wouldn’t be here now without her and I’d really like to take this opportunity to say thank you.”

Claire trained as a nurse and now works for Marie Curie in Argyll and Bute, providing palliative care for people with terminal illness.

She said: “At the time I was ill, I thought I’d never want to see the inside of a hospital again but somehow I ended up going down this route.

“I enjoy my job and get satisfaction from knowing we have helped our patients to remain in their own homes during their illness.”

Claire still has to undergo yearly checks to ensure she remains healthy but says she feels lucky she found her cure and wants the same for other young patients.

She said: “I really hope the Schiehallion Appeal manages to raise the funds they need as it is such a difficult time for children who have to travel for treatments and be away from friends and family for so long.

“If more treatment can be done here in Glasgow instead of youngsters having to travel to London or abroad it would be fantastic.”