Highland kart racing star raises profile of Archie Foundation children's hospital charity
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An up-and-coming kart racing star is putting his foot down to raise awareness of a charity which helps sick children and their families.
Oliver Stewart (13), of Beauly, has become an ambassador for the Archie Foundation after it supported family members through their darkest hour.
Last year, his cousin, Struan Cairns, also from Beauly, received cancer treatment at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
Struan’s parents, Derek and Alison, spent 73 nights in Archie’s family centre at the hospital while their other son, Torrin, stayed with Oliver’s family in Farlie View.
With Struan (17) now fit and well, Oliver – a pupil at Charleston Academy – is using his growing profile to promote the charity’s work.
Sporting the Archie branding on his kart and kit, he finished fifth out of the top 36 junior drivers in the UK at his first British Kartmasters Grand Prix – despite technical setbacks.
“I knew I had a problem with the kart and it was going to be tough but I caught sight of the Archie logo a couple of times and thought about the real problems children are actually going through,” he said.
“So I just put my head down and dug deep”.
He also scooped top place at another event in Cumbria in preparation for the British Championships.
Struan’s mother said no words could express their gratitude to the foundation.
“We couldn’t contemplate not being with Struan for all his treatment,” Mrs Cairns said.
“Archie made that possible. They were there for us in our darkest hour and helped us when we needed help the most.”
Archie chief executive David Wood said Oliver’s grit reflected the resilience shown by his cousin, aunt and uncle.
