Dr Graham Simpson resumes some teaching at Clydebank High

Graham Simpson, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in 2017 and has undergone chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant since, has been slowly returning to work at Clydebank High thanks to his improving health and the treatment at the Beatson.

Pupils raised more than £7,000 in December with a Santa Dash for the Beatson Cancer Centre, bringing their two-year total to a staggering £30,000.

The chemistry and pastoral care teacher, known as Dr Simpson to pupils, hopes others will benefit from the fundraising and awareness and register as bone marrow donors.

Lorraine Simpson, depute head and Dr Simpson's wife, told the Post: "We are pleased to report that he is doing so much better than any of his consultants thought he would, and he puts much of this down to the ‘positive energy, enthusiasm and support from all the pupils of Clydebank High’.

"He is now back working in the school on a phased return with high hopes that he will be able to get back to a full timetable soon.

"However, before this can happen he has to have his third Donor Lymphocyte Transfusion (DLI), from his original donor in Switzerland."

She continued: "His donor was found through the Anthony Nolan world-wide register. To help raise awareness of this important charity, the school invited the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who work in partnership with the Anthony Nolan Trust, to talk to the senior pupils.

"Following their presentation a further 49 pupils added their names to the donor register who joined last year, giving a fabulous total of 110 additional names on the register."

The hard work of pupils was recognised at the recent West Dunbartonshire Youth Alliance Special Awards. They took the 2018 prize for health and wellbeing, with five pupils and Dr Simpson attending.

Anthony Nolan Trust accepts donors between the ages of 16 and 30, while the charity DKMS takes those aged 18 to 55.

The school is encouraging any readers to register with either charity online.

Mrs Simpson added: "What better feeling could there be than to know that you could potentially safe someone’s life."