Grandparents pay tribute to brave fighter Allister

Dave Moore and his wife Mavis travelled to Stair, Ayrshire, for Allister Boyd's funeral, which took place on April 9. Allister passed away on April 4.

Allister was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2005. He was given a successful operation and treatment, but the cancer returned in the base of his spine in 2007.

He went through another successful round of treatment - but the tumour returned in his brain earlier this year and doctors said there was no more they could do.

Mr Moore said: "He was determined he was not going to sit on his backside '“ instead he was going to do something for young people who have cancer and leave a legacy.

"He was always thinking of other people and always doing something to make people aware '“ including the NHS and the government."

Allister's efforts over the years have raised nearly 200,000 for CLIC Sargent, a children's cancer charity, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

One event, a huge party at an Ayrshire hotel in September, raised an amazing 80,000. This was from a raffle and donations.

Allister had invited all his friends and family '“ as well as his legion of supporters '“ to celebrate his life and his achievements, as well as raise more cash.

But Allister's involvement went much further than fundraising. In November last year, he was invited to Downing Street, met PM Gordon Brown and actually addressed Parliament on providing more sympathetic cancer care services for young people.

Allister was a student at the Caledonian University in Glasgow, where he was reading business studies.

The university made him a Fellow in September 2008 and launched an award in his honour '“ the Allister Boyd Award for Contribution to Health and Wellbeing in a Leadership Role.

This will be given to a Caledonian student each year who best follows Allister's example in campaigning for the health of others.

Two days before he died, Allister was also presented with the Paul Harrison Award by the International Rotary Club '“ and he is believed to be the youngest ever recipient of this honour.

More than 1,000 people attended Allister's funeral, which Mr Moore said was a solemn yet uplifting occasion. Among the mourners were two of Allister's favourite bands The Fratellis and Snow Patrol.

As well as his grandparents, Allister leaves mother and father Kim and Robert Boyd, and younger brother Russell.

Mr Moore said the family wanted to thank all of Allister's friends and supporters in the Bexhill area for all their help during the years of their grandson's campaigns.