A BORDERS fundraiser has received a special commendation from Cancer Research UK in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the cause.

Alistair McIntyre, from Melrose, was shortlisted in the charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards which acknowledge remarkable efforts in fundraising and volunteering made by people from all walks of life.

He won a special commendation in the category of Fundraising Volunteer of the Year 2014 in recognition of the wonderful support he and his team of helpers have shown to Cancer Research UK. Alistair and his wife Liz launched a year long fundraising appeal in January 2013 called 'In Jimmy’s Footsteps’ in celebration of the life of their granddaughter Belle McIntyre who, at the time, was undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma.

Alistair decided to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Jimmy to raise money for Cancer Research UK. In 1933, Jimmy McIntyre, a miner, set off on the challenge of a lifetime when he was forced to leave his pregnant wife, young son and his home in Fife to look for work in Kent, a 500 mile journey he did on foot and by bicycle.

At the heart of the 'In Jimmy’s Footsteps’ appeal was a walk by Alistair from Fife to Deal, Kent which took place in the summer of 2013. In addition, Alistair’s friends and family hosted an incredible number of different fundraising events in and around Galashiels for the charity from fashion shows to bungee jumps to pigeon auctions.

The fundraising campaign raised over £46,000 for Cancer Research UK’s vital research. Sadly young Belle McIntyre lost her fight with neuroblastoma in November 2013.

Alistair said: “We are delighted to receive this commendation in recognition of the hard work and commitment of our many family and friends who worked on the Jimmy’s Footsteps Appeal. It really was a team effort and we look forward to sharing this award with everyone involved. We will continue to fundraise where we can to support the incredible work of Cancer Research UK.” New figures reveal 50 per cent of people diagnosed with cancer today in the UK will survive the disease for at least 10 years. * In the early 1970s just a quarter of people diagnosed with cancer in the UK survived 10 years. Now Cancer Research UK has set out an ambitious new strategy to accelerate progress with the ambition that three-quarters (75 per cent) of all cancer patients diagnosed in 20 years time will survive at least 10 years.

Donna Marshall, Local Fundraising Manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and has ambitious plans to make even further progress over the next 20 years.

“However, progress is only made possible thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses.

“Our Flame of Hope Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank you to these enormously generous volunteers and supporters for the fantastic work they do.”