Teen footballer given 'weeks to live' after cancer heartbreak but vows 'I will win this fight'

A young footballer who is battling skin cancer is determined to keep on fighting despite being told he only had weeks to live. In an emotional social media update, Charlie shared his ordeal: "The last few weeks have been very difficult but things are on the up now."

Charlie said: "The last few weeks have been very difficult but things are on the up now. Four weeks ago I was told the cancer was spreading rapidly and had spread to my hip and spine. I was told I only had weeks left to live.

"Hearing this was just devastating but I knew I wasn't going to let it win. I have started different treatments and have a nutritionist helping me with a strict diet.

"I couldn't have done this without the donations and support each and every one has given me so far, so thank you from the bottom of my heart."

READ MORE:

In a heartfelt thank-you note, he expressed immense gratitude for the support received: "I couldn't have done this without the donations and support each and every one has given me so far, so thank you from the bottom of my heart," reports .

From Lochmaben, Dumfries and Galloway, Charlie also paid special tribute to those closest to him: "Most importantly my amazing mum who has stood by me every step of the way, I've watched her heart break in ways I didn't know possible, I love you mum."

His determination is clear as he states confidently: "I will win this fight".

Charlie's plight began with a diagnosis of nodular malignant melanoma, following the discovery of a mole on his abdomen after a lads' holiday in Magaluf. The semi-professional footballer initially noticed the change in his skin last summer.

The mole had grown to about one inch, and then suddenly peeled off his body. Despite having the remaining part removed in October 2023, he was diagnosed with nodular malignant melanoma – an aggressive form of skin cancer.

The boy's mother has come forward with a stark warning about the dangers of sunbed usage and neglecting sun cream after her son regularly frequented tanning beds and often skipped protection on holidays abroad.

41-year-old mum-of-three Amanda cautioned: "I don't want to attribute Charlie's cancer to the use of sunbeds and sun exposure, but there is an awareness to be raised about it. The mole appeared after he came back from holiday and he had been using sunbeds frequently at the time."

She stressed the risks often overlooked by young people desiring a tanned appearance: "A lot of young people use them to look sun-kissed but I don't think people understand the full risks. Even when I was younger, I'd hit them often.

"There is no amount of money in the that a mother wouldn't try to raise, to try to find a cure for their child.

"If I could swap places with him, I would in a heartbeat. As a parent I've never felt so helpless in my life."

Their community rallied together, launching an impressive fundraising initiative last August to support the former Queen of the South reserve player.

Generous support poured in from across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond, managing to draw together over £60,000, which will go towards clinical trial costs and research into finding a cure.

Richard, 44, the devastated step-dad of Charlie, shared their harrowing journey: "Charlie had what we thought was a skin tag removed, but after tests in October 2023 we were told out of the blue it was cancer.

"At the start of last year, we were told it had spread to lymph nodes under his armpits and he was stage 3C.

"He was put on tablets in a bid to stop it spreading, but then we received the news it has spread to his liver and lungs.

"Nothing prepares you for hearing that. Every parent will say the same but Charlie really is the perfect son.

"He is polite, respectful and puts his all into everything he does. He has every quality you would want in your child.

"Most of all, he loves life, and he wants to live it."