A former Carlisle United footballer has helped celebrate the renewal of Cancer Research and ScottishPower’s partnership for a further three years.

Joe Thompson, who beat cancer twice during his playing career, unveiled the partnership at Glasgow’s Hampden Park alongside one of ScottishPower’s employees, Campbell McDougall, 69, who has run 14 marathons to raise money after losing his mother, father and brother to cancer.

Joe, who made 225 appearances across the Football League during his career, beat nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014 following six months of chemotherapy.

After making a return to the pitch, his cancer returned in 2017 when he found a tumour on his chest. He stopped playing while he underwent further treatment before being given the great news that he was in complete remission.

The partnership between ScottishPower and Cancer Research UK was first established in 2012. The energy company has since raised over £30 million through a range of fundraising initiatives to support Cancer Research UK in its mission to accelerate progress and see three in four people surviving their cancer by 2034.

Mark Bowen, UK Marketing Director at ScottishPower, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with Cancer Research UK for another three years and in doing so, raise even more money for this amazing charity which delivers such incredible work to beat cancer.

Together, we have the energy to help beat cancer sooner. 375,000 customers have chosen our Help Beat Cancer tariff where we donate to the charity every month for each customer on it, while passionate ScottishPower employees have been amazing in their fundraising efforts.

Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive at Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re so thankful to ScottishPower for raising over £30 million since the start of our partnership. This is an incredible sum.

“The money raised has, and will continue to have, a significant impact on the work we fund and the progress we make. We’d like to thank every one of ScottishPower’s customers, employees and suppliers who have helped raise these vital funds over the years.

Thompson, who played 15 games for The Blues during the 2015-16 season, said: “It’s an honour to help raise awareness of this fantastic charity partnership and the brilliant work ScottishPower does to raise vital funds.

“Cancer Research UK is a charity extremely close to me and my family’s heart and was an invaluable source of support during my own cancer battles so it’s amazing news to know this partnership is continuing for another three years.”