A BOY aged five who is fighting leukaemia is inspiring Inverclyde to light up in his name – with the area’s MP the latest person to show his support.

The health battle of Gourock schoolboy Nathan Mowat has touched the hearts of many people, with his family asking people and local organisations to ‘Glow Gold’ for all childhood cancer sufferers in September.

We have teamed up with Nathan’s mum Gillian to raise awareness of the disease and the need for more funding and research.

As part of the campaign we want as many landmark buildings, businesses and homes in the area to be lit up on September 1.

MP Ronnie Cowan has pledged his support after meeting Nathan’s mum.

He said: “I am fully supportive of the Glow Gold campaign and commend Gillian in all her efforts to raise awareness of childhood cancer.

“I continue to highlight the campaign to businesses, individuals and groups with the hope they will support this cause and I look forward to getting involved this September.”

Gillian says she’s been overwhelmed by support since the push was launched in the Tele.

She said: “Ronnie was really supportive and said he would do all that he could to encourage others to join the campaign. I have had people stopping me in the street and offering to help. It’s incredible.”

Morton held a special Glow Gold day at Cappielow before the end of the last season, while the Beacon Arts Centre and the Albany Theatre have agreed to light up their premises for the appeal.

The Tontine Hotel, Cardwell Garden Centre and busy nightspots Word Up and Text have pledged their support.

Gillian, from St Andrews Drive, said: “I am doing this campaign because I want to feel useful in a helpless situation.

“All I can do is be there for Nathan. I can’t describe what it feels like to face losing your child.”

The Glow Gold campaign aims to put the funding of drugs to treat childhood cancer firmly in the spotlight.

Ten children are diagnosed with the disease in the UK every day.

Of those, a quarter won’t survive and the  majority will be left with lifelong side effects from treatments that have changed little in the last 30 years.

To play your part in Nathan and his mum’s Glow campaign, email glowgoldkids@yahoo.co.uk or slochrie@greenocktelegraph.co.uk