Celebrities are marking the start of a Scottish fashion designer’s new campaign in support of a cancer charity by posting selfies with blue tongues on social media.
Christian MacLeod is launching his “Blue CM Campaign” today (Thursday) to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust after his cousin was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 22.
He has launched a new range of blue leather belts, and is donating 10 per cent of the proceeds of the sales to the charity.
And the cast of Hollyoaks have backed his campaign by posing for striking photographs wearing the blue belts and tongues to match.
After his cousin died from this disease, Mr MacLeod made a promise to use his success as a fashion designer to help other young people with cancer.
He said: “You don’t expect to lose someone close to you to cancer so young – it was a very sad time for my family and it made me determined to make a difference.
“Neil Howitt wasn’t treated on a Teenage Cancer Trust unit, but I have been learning a lot about the work the charity does and their expert care and support would have made a big difference.
“I want to help the charity and raise awareness so that they can help every young person like my cousin.”
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for the seven young people aged 13 to 24 diagnosed with cancer every day.
The charity funds and builds specialist units in NHS hospitals and provides dedicated staff, bringing young people together so they can be treated by teenage cancer experts in the best place for them.
It also educates young people and health professionals about cancer to help improve the speed and quality of diagnosis.
Vanessa Todd, who is a fundraiser for the charity, said: “The Blue CM Campaign reflects the kind of irrepressible teenage spirit that Teenage Cancer Trust is all about, recognising that young people don’t stop being young just because they have cancer.
“It’s fantastic that Christian has chosen to raise funds and awareness for us so that more young people can benefit from our specialist cancer wards and expert care.”
