Charity game kicks off fundraising campaign

Lisa McClement, now aged 27, was 13 when she developed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She relapsed again at 15 and had to undergo another round of gruelling cancer treatment.

But with an all-clear diagnosis safely behind her, she was moved when she heard of fellow Twechar resident Leah Black, who was fighting the same battle.

Now Lisa has organised a charity football match between top amateur team Barrhill Thistle and the ladies and girls of the village. It will take place on Saturday, June 20, at Twechar Recreation Centre, with a 1pm kick-off, and Leah is the team manager. A family fundraising night will take place following the game.

Lisa was originally organising the event to raise money for Leah herself, but Leah has decided the money should go to the Schiehallion Ward at Yorkhill Hospital, which treats young cancer patients.

Lisa said: “I had the same cancer at the same age, so when I heard about Leah I wanted to support her.”

Lisa’s not the only one helping Leah in all kinds of ways. Her aunt, Philomena McKean, decided morale support was needed when Leah lost her hair, so shaved her head to keep her company.

And Twechar Recreation Centre, and the wider Twechar community, are also helping out in a lot of ways.

Lisa said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who is helping with our fundraising.”

Leah’s mum, Lesley-Anne, says the friendship between her daughter and Lisa has been a really positive one.

She told the Herald: “I knew Lisa from before, but when Leah was diagnosed 10 days after her 15th birthday I remembered it was the exact same illness, and got in touch with her for some advice.

“Lisa is a fantastic girl and they’ve got a good bond. She is someone for Leah to look up to.”

Leah, who has just started fourth year at Kirkintilloch High School, is currently undergoing chemotherapy and will hopefully have her final treatment in August.