An offshore worker who helped raise thousands of pounds during his 18-month battle with cancer has been hailed as a “true hero”.
Alex Hutcheon died on Sunday – a year after he took to the catwalk as part of Friends of Anchor’s Brave fundraiser.
The 22-year-old was the youngest model who took part in the 2018 show, helping to raise £126,000 to support cancer patients across the north of Scotland.
Mr Hutcheon, from Cullen, also raised more than £11,000 for Maggie’s Aberdeen.
He was first diagnosed with sarcoma in late 2017 but was given the all-clear last August. However in January, doctors broke the news it had returned.
Yesterday, mum Seonaid paid tribute to her son’s courage during his illness – and revealed they had spent his final days doing the things he loved.
She said: “He was absolutely amazing. Brave, he truly was brave. We got our strength from him during the 18 months.
“He just clicked with everyone he met, his smile always lit up the room. No matter how bad he was feeling he still cared more about everyone else, putting them before him.”
During his final weeks, the keen surfer and snowboarder fulfilled aspirations of becoming a pilot by flying a Typhoon jet in RAF Lossiemouth’s simulator and cheered on his beloved Dons from a hospitality box against Celtic at Pittodrie.
His dad, Sandy, said: “He was totally selfless. I think that’s what encouraged him to do Brave and everything else.
“He just clicked with all the medical staff on every occasion at hospitals all over the country.”
The strength of the car enthusiast, who was devoted to his Volkswagen Polo GTI, inspired countless other local groups to raise money for cancer charities in support and lifelong friends Callum Bowie and Sarah Campbell completed a 220-mile cycle from Glasgow to Cullen in his name last year – raising more than £4,000 for Maggie’s in the process.
His sister, Rebecca, ran the Loch Ness Marathon in his name and is now hoping to enter next year’s London race to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
She added: “No matter how sick he was he would always turn round and ask people how they were doing. He was a true hero.”
Mr Hutcheon is survived by his parents, brother Greg, sister Rebecca and girlfriend Olivia. He was also brother-in-law to Meghan and Craig and uncle of Mila, Gia and Milo.
A celebration of his life will be held in the Auld Kirk in Cullen on Saturday at 11am.
