Hamish, like most two-year-olds, is a happy, outgoing and adventurous wee boy. He likes to be involved in everything and is ...curious about the world. From household chores to helping his daddy Kris in the garden, no place is safe from his curiosity!
For Hamish’s parents, Hollie and Kris, they love and encourage this in their little boy even when it means that Kris’ bags of grass cuttings are often thrown over his newly cut grass or that Hollie’s make up is reworked with Hamish-size finger prints in it. Even when he is misbehaving it is impossible to stay angry with him. Kris says, “His cheeky smile wins us over every time and more often than not, we have to leave the room before fits of giggles take over; rendering our earlier row meaningless.”
Hamish has always seemed to be concerned when someone looks sad or has been hurt and always wants to help make them better. On one particular day in January 2015, Hollie and Kris noticed that Hamish had begun limping. Initially this was related to an on-going ear infection but when Hamish fell at a soft play centre and was unable to bear any weight afterwards, he was sent to their local Accident & Emergency unit. Whilst there, Kris and Hollie say that their world “Slowly started to fall apart.”
After tests on Friday 31st January the family were invited back on the following Monday for further testing and bone marrow aspirate samples. Devastatingly, Kris and Hollie reveal, “That evening we were told it was almost certain Hamish had neuroblastoma and we would be transferred to Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow the next day.”
Neuroblastoma is a particularly aggressive form of childhood cancer and the most common cancer outside the brain in children under 5 years old. In most cases it is only diagnosed when it has already progressed to a late ‘high risk’ stage.
Hollie says “Hamish showed very few symptoms of neuroblastoma prior to diagnosis. The limping that we had noticed before was actually caused by fractures in his legs due to the cancer.”
By February 2015, Hamish had started an intensive regime of chemotherapy. Hollie says “It's truly heart-breaking seeing your baby in pain, having numerous medicines to take every day, and fighting the biggest battle of his life. Hamish is a strong wee man and his mummy and daddy are with him every step of his journey.”
Proud parents Kris and Hollie say that Hamish amazes them more and more every day with the spirit in which he is tackling this awful disease. He continues to smile the most beautiful smile even though the demands of treatment have meant that Hamish has yet to return home since that day of diagnosis.
Chemotherapy ended in April and reassessment scans have been positive. Surgery in June 2015 was a success and Hollie says “I can't wait for the day we all return home with Hamish cured. It will be an emotional day for us all when he sees his old bedroom and toys again, but we are here for as long as that takes.”
Hamish was, and still very much is, a fun loving little boy. He previously attended nursery which he thrived from and was a sociable wee man. His love of playing, singing, Toy Story and having fun has never stopped. Some activities, like swimming, that Hamish enjoyed prior to his diagnosis have had to stop for the time being. He loved his swimming lessons and his parents can’t wait for the day they get him back in the water. His attendance at nursery and a local playgroup has also had to end, but the family can't wait to see Hamish back where he should be; running about with his friends. Kris speaks movingly about his son:
“Obviously, like all boys, playtime was one of his favourite activities and was becoming longer and more diverse. Since his hospital stay his imagination has taken off. Role play is a particular favourite, however he is the boss and takes charge of assigning roles; like the director of an action movie. It's quite difficult trying to play Fireman Sam, a dinosaur and the big bad wolf within a 30 second timeframe but he seems to manage without too much fuss. It's more amusing for me when he hauls in his extras (grandmas and grandads) and makes them play out various parts! So that's our boy at his best, however he has been at that and more since February. He has taken the hits that chemo throws at you, the intense pain that comes from the side effects. The sickness to him was just an inconvenience. I, or rather we, are in awe of him every day. He inspires us, keeps us sane and in return we will hold his hand, trying to make him laugh and smile whenever possible. We will love and adore every single second being with him and we will not rest until we get him home and in remission. Our wee boy is our world and we love him to infinity and beyond.”
Hamish’s family are fundraising for the NCCA UK to help Hamish and children like him. If required, his funds will go towards additional treatment which may not yet be available in the UK. The risk of relapse with high risk neuroblastoma is higher than with many other childhood cancers and through Hamish’s Journey, the NCCA UK can help Hamish access further treatment should he need it.
Kris says, “The cancer broke his legs but not his spirit or his will to fight back.”
Please make a donation to the NCCA UK to help Hamish and children like him. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you can help by holding a fundraising event to raise funds, please contact the fundraising team at the NCCA UK on 020 7284 0800

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