A YOUNG Beith man, who successfully beat testicular cancer, has raised over £4,000 for the Beatson by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Aidan McCafferty reached the top of the Tanzanian peak on January 1, and the 22-year-old’s family – mum Liz, dad Johnny and 18-year-old brother Evan – can’t wait to welcome him home.

Liz told the Herald: “We’re really over the moon for him. I just want to let him know how incredibly proud we are.”

Aidan was in his third year studying International Business at Glasgow Caledonian University when he took unwell during an exchange trip to Marseille. When French doctors carried out various tests and detected a lump, they advised the student to return home for treatment.

Thankfully, Aidan made a full recovery but the young account executive will continue to be monitored at the Beatson for the next 10 years.

It was because of the exceptional support he has received from the Beatson that Aidan, a former Head Boy at Garnock Academy, decided to raise money for them.

Liz said: “The Beatson have just been great; really supportive and that’s why Aidan wanted to raise money for them.

“He held two events at the bowling club, the rest was raised on the Just Giving page mostly from people who know him. We’re amazed. It’s just been wonderful, the generosity of people and the local community.”

She added: “When Aidan was diagnosed, we as parents thought they had got it wrong. We were in bits. But he helped us through, even though it should have been the other way around. 

“He’s been so strong. Instead of throwing in the towel, he just got on with things. We’re grateful for everything he’s done. 

“He had a wee part time job working at the Blair while he was studying and he was supported by them when he had his surgery. He was only off a matter of weeks. He was more annoyed that he was in the middle of his exams than anything else! 

“He just knuckled down and he graduated with Upper Class Honours last year. I don’t think he actually knows how proud we all are of him. I just can’t believe what he’s been through and how unfazed he is.”

Following his climb, Aidan posted on his Just Giving page: “I am elated and cannot thank everyone enough for their support and donations.”

Aidan’s Just Giving can be found here.