AN Erskine couple whose son almost died from a brain tumour will attempt to walk the West Highland Way in under four days to raise money for vital research. 

Allison Warnock, 58, and her 65-year-old husband Robin plan to set off on their 96-mile trek this Saturday, in support of The Brain Tumour Charity.

Their youngest son Scott was diagnosed with a tumour in 1997, at the age of five, after a year of suffering.

Thanks to his parents’ persistence, doctors at the Royal Hospital For Sick Children, in Glasgow, eventually carried out a scan.

After this led to the tumour being discovered, it was removed by surgeons at the city’s Southern General Hospital within two days – and Scott’s life was saved.

More than 20 years later, he is enjoying a normal life and running a successful online furniture business.

Allison and Robin have decided to take on the gruelling trek from Milngavie to Fort William because they still feel not enough is being done to spot similar tumours in young children.

They believe that, if they hadn’t pressurised doctors to carry out the brain scan in 1997, their son would have died.

Allison told The Gazette: “It is unbelievable that, after 23 years, families are still suffering, as children are still not being diagnosed quickly enough.

“I am really looking forward to this challenge for such an important cause which is close to my heart.

“I know it will not be easy but I will endure any pain, as it will be nothing compared to what my son and others have had to suffer and still are suffering.”

Allison, who works as a student advisor, and Robin, who is a retired NHS engineer, are aiming to raise £1,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity and are appealing for donations through their Justgiving page.

Geraldine Pipping, the charity’s director of fundraising, said: “We are extremely grateful for the efforts made by our fantastic fundraisers and wish them all the very best.

“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of the under-40s and, unlike other cancers, survival rates have not improved over the last 40 years.

“We receive no government funding and rely on voluntary donations, so it’s only through the efforts of people like Allison and Robin that we can change these shocking statistics in the future.”

To support Allison and Robin’s fundraising efforts, make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/allison-warnock.