East Lothian terminal cancer dad's pride as daughter takes on skydive to carry on family's charity work
An East Lothian father of five with terminal cancer has expressed his pride in his daughter as she gets set to take on a skydive to carry on the family's charity work.
Johnnie Meechan, 48, from Tranent, founded the Johnnie’s Journey charity when he was diagnosed with terminal Neuro Endocrine cancer nearly 10 years ago, and was told he had five years to live. This was his second cancer diagnosis, with the former Post Office and IT worker first getting cancer in his 20s, leading to health issues for most of his adult life.
The charity led by Johnnie has raised tens of thousands of pounds which has helped local cancer patients, charities and local foodbanks over the years, but next month his 24-year-old daughter Ellie is taking the reins for the first time and doing a skydive.
Ellie will be supported by her family when she heads to Fife Airport in Glenrorthes on April 12, and Johnnie couldn’t be prouder of his eldest daughter.
He said: “It’s really great she’s doing this. I’m very proud of her. Not only for this skydive, but also how she is a lot more involved with the work I do for the charity.
“I don’t know how long I have left, so if one of the family takes over when I’m gone it would be great, and it would mean a lot if she takes over.
“We have held a lot of charity events over the last nine years, but never really had a direct family member doing one, so it’s really good this is happening.”
Commenting on her fundraising page for the charity skydive, Ellie Meechan revealed she is delighted to be following in her father’s footsteps by taking on a charity challenge to help others.
She said: “Seeing my dad go through all this has been incredibly difficult. Our family has faced so much loss, we lost my grandparents to cancer in 2014 and 2022.
“Seeing dad cope with his own battles while grieving has shown me what true strength looks like. Even with everything, he still continues to make a difference for others.
“Life has thrown a lot at us but it has also taught us to fight for what really matters and to always support those in need.
“So now it’s my turn. I’ll be jumping out of a plane to raise money for Johnnie’s Journey, honouring my dad and his incredible work. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference and allows us to continue doing what we do, helping those in need.”
Explaining why he started his charity after receiving his terminal cancer diagnosis, Johnnie explained that he loves to help others in need.
He said: “It was a case of being known as the guy who was ill for 20 years after I got cancer for the first time.
“So I wanted to do something my family would be proud of and I suppose it also leaves a legacy.
“We have managed to help a lot of people along the way which is a massive bonus. It’s just something that everyone should do a bit more of if you can - helping other less fortunate than yourself.
“It’s not just people with cancer we have helped with Johnnie’s Journey, we’ve also benefited foodbanks and lots of other excellent causes. It’s just nice to give back.”
Speaking more about his health issues, Johnnie is thankful that he has defied doctor’s predictions, allowing him to see his five children grow up.
He said: “I was given five years but I’m still here. I thought if I got two years I’d be doing well, just being realistic given my health hasn’t been great for most of my life.
“I’m always unwell, I have no immune system, but I have people to help me with the charity.
“My health has deteriorated since my terminal cancer diagnosis but I’m still here and managed to do things nobody can take away from me.
“I have seen things I never expected to see, like my kids growing up. It’s a real blessing and I feel so lucky. My youngest daughter is going into high school this year, she was in nursery when I was diagnosed, so it’s pleasantly surprised me that I’m here to see that milestone in her life.
“So it’s been great to see my kids growing up, I feel lucky that I’ve still been around to see them grow up, including Ellie becoming a lovely young woman and carrying on the family fundraising.”
To donate to Ellie’s skydive to raise money for Johnnie’s Journey click here.