The parents of an eight-year-old boy from Nairn who died following his second cancer battle are to start fundraising to help build a special family area in their community.
Hamish Hey was just three when he was first diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer.
After months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he underwent pioneering surgery which resulted in him getting a prosthetic leg.
But after years of follow-up checks and medication, Hamish was diagnosed with an incurable, aggressive brain stem tumour in March last year.
Little Hamish died peacefully at his family home at Carron Villa, Viewfield Street, in Nairn, on February 20.
In the year before he died, the youngster received 30 sessions of radiotherapy to give him more time to spend with his family.
Despite years of hardship, Hamish’s parents Sam and Susan Hey said their son “never complained and remained smiling almost to the end.”
Following his death they both described him as a “brave, caring and witty” eight-year-old boy.
In a new statement released by his parents, they said: “This year we will start something positive and exciting for Nairn.
“Throughout Hamish’s illness, we have been truly overwhelmed by the love and support from so many over the years, particularly from the community of Nairn.
“We now feel it is time to repay our town.
“Our plan is to develop a special family area for all ages and abilities to enjoy. In doing this we will radiate the love we have for Hamish. It will be a place for all to experience. This will ensure Hamish’s memory lives on for years to come.
“We plan to fundraise to make this happen, our first event will be our fun run and road race on June 11.”
The road race will be 10 miles long and start at 2pm on Sunday, June 11. The fun run will start 15 minutes later.
Entry forms and fees for both races can be found via
https://sites.google.com/site/nairn10mileroadrace/home
The race will be the first in a fundraising programme to raise money for the family area in memory of Hamish.
