Ayrshire teacher's emotional marathon for former pupil fighting cancer as family show support

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A selfless teacher says crossing a marathon finish line for one of her brave pupils was one of the most ‘emotional experiences of her life’.Mel McLeod from Alloway Primary School took on the gruelling Loch Ness marathon for her former star pupil, Marc Patterson, as the seven-year-old battles cancer.The primary teacher bounced back from injury to conquer the race in the Highlands , raising more than £4,000 for Whiteleys Retreat, the charity who offered respite care to P3 pupil Marc, who was diagnosed with Acute Lympholastic Leukaemia two years ago.Mel, who taught Marc when he was in P2, wanted to complete the marathon last month to make her former pupil proud, after being left inspired by his bravery.And she was pushed all the way to the finish line by Marc, mum Colette and sister Sarah who supported on the banks of the loch.Mel told Ayrshire Live: “At the last dreaded hill all my emotions were taking over.

I just thought to myself Marc is in pain all the time and he goes through treatment so a bit of pain in my legs was nothing.“I just gritted my teeth and pushed through that wall.

I cried, I laughed, I cried again as it is one of the most emotional experiences of my life. My family were there with me along with Marc, Marc's mum Colette and his sister Sarah.“Having (Marc’s family) there meant the world to me and made it that bit more special.

Crossing the finish line brought so many emotions but seeing Marc's smile told me I did it.”Just months before the marathon, Mel was dealt a blow which put her race plans at risk.The teacher chipped a bone in her ankle in June and was recovering from coronavirus.After several physio sessions at Physioflexx in Prestwick, she slowly but surely began to regain strength in her ankle and