A crime author is turning fan requests for merchandise into a fundraiser for a Highland charity.
Barry Hutchison, who is known by pen-name JD Kirk, has lent his support to Star for Harris.
The childhood cancer charity was started by Lochaber parents Allan and Tanya Ross.
Mr Hutchison was acquainted with the couple before they established the charity. He and Allan went through nursery, primary and secondary school together.
They would remain acquainted in adulthood, with Barry even filming Allan and Tanya’s wedding footage for them.
According to Be Child Cancer Aware, 10 children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK.
Barry says fundraiser is an opportunity to ‘make a real impact’
Tanya and Allan welcomed their son, Harris Ross, in April 2009.
But Harris was just over a year old when he lost his battle to brain cancer.
Under the pen-name JD Kirk, Barry writes the popular DCI Logan crime thrillers and Robert Hoon crime thrillers.
He said that he had several requests for merchandise to be made.
He said: “I thought I’d turn it into an opportunity to make a real impact.
“I’m really pleased to be able to raise proceeds for such worthy charities, and Star for Harris is close to my heart.”
The merchandise will feature quotes from JD Kirk’s most iconic characters including DCI Logan and Robert Hoon. Products available include mugs, notepads, bags and cushions.
Star for Harris thanks community for their support
The Ross family have shared their appreciation of their neighbour’s gesture, and say it shows “just how big Barry’s heart is”.
“Barry is so well known out there,” Allan said. “But to keep our home and keep us in his thoughts was really nice of him to do.”
Star for Harris was created to support the treatment of childhood cancer and raise awareness of its symptoms.
In one campaign, they delivered one million Be Child Cancer Aware cards throughout Scotland. The cards shared information on childhood cancer symptoms.
Tanya encourages parents at home to be aware of the signs as “cancer does not discriminate”.
“An earlier diagnosis really can save lives,” she said. “And it can lessen the lifelong impact of childhood cancer that a patient could be dealing with.”
Although the charity is small in size, they have created a big impact in helping those suffering on their cancer journey.
The community rallies behind them
As well as supporting children, Star for Harris helps surrounding family members going through their child’s cancer journey.
For example, the charity provide memory casts for families of children who have become untreatable.
“We tried to cram in as many memories as we could during our time in Edinburgh,” said Tanya. “So we do want to continue to provide anything that’s memory-creating.”
Being a smaller charity, Star for Harris often rely on the support from local businesses, and families.
Allan shares that having a community behind them was a big support to the family, particularly those back at home.
“Our families were getting torn between us and Edinburgh. I think it really helped them through what was happening at the time as well.”
Harris’s legacy continues to live on
“For us, this is Harris’s living legacy,” said Tanya. “He was very brave, very bright, very sparkly, and loved life, he wanted to live. If love could have saved him, it would have.
“Someone said to us at the start children only know to fight, and they certainly fight, they certainly want to live.”
To support Barry’s fundraiser, you can buy JD Kirk merchandise here.
To find out more about Star for Harris you can read their story here, and follow their Facebook page for updates.