Tranent fundraiser Johnnie Meechan has been hailed a “local hero” by East Lothian Foodbank after his fundraiser helped gift hundreds of items to the charity.

Johnnie, 45, founded charity group Johnnie’s Journey after being diagnosed with neuroendocrine (NET) cancer in 2016.

Since then he has been raising awareness for the cancer and money for charities both locally and internationally.

His latest fundraising drive was a raffle with a number of prizes on offer, such as signed football memorabilia and tickets, and coupons for local businesses.

People were entered into the raffle, which was drawn at the end of last month, in exchange for a donation which was used to buy food and goods for East Lothian Foodbank, East Lothian Roots & Fruits and the Pennypit Trust.

In total, more than £2,100 of goods was bought and gifted to the charities through donations.

READ MORE: Johnnie Meechan raffling off prizes for foodbank drive

Johnnie said: “It was a fantastic response from the public. January is a tough time for everyone, so to raise over £2,000 is incredible.

“It was great to go out and buy all the stuff and donate it to people, and I can’t thank people enough for their support.

“The foodbank is under huge strain at the moment so these donations should hopefully help. It felt good to donate them but it’s the people who took part in the raffle that are the real heroes.”

Elaine Morrison, manager at the foodbank, said: “Johnnie is a great guy, he’s been doing these fundraisers for a number of years now and he’s a real local hero.

“Given his condition as well and all his struggles at home it shows the type of person he is that he is still putting other people first and doing so much for the community.

“He came in with his team and gave us the donations, and I got to have a sitdown and chat with him which was lovely. He really is a great guy and it was good to chat about him and how he’s doing, as well as what he’s been up to. The donations he made will go a long way to helping us and we couldn’t continue to operate without generous people like Johnnie.

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“On paper, we run the foodbank but it’s the public and their kindness that really keeps us running.

“We’re looking forward to working with Johnnie again in the future.”

As well as his own cancer battle, Johnnie’s wife Evie was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She started radiotherapy this month.

Johnnie said he was now taking some time to focus on personal matters.

He said: “I’m going to try and take a step back for a bit. Evie is crushing the radiotherapy. She is feeling a bit tired but isn’t letting it slow her down.

READ MORE: Johnnie, Evelyn and Carol Meechan battling cancer at the same time

“It’s going to be a tough period for us. She’s on it every day for a month straight so it’s going to be tough.

“We have to keep fighting. It seems pretty grim to say but with my condition my cards are marked, but Evie still has a fighting chance and we have to do everything we can to get her better.

“Once she’s on the mend, I’ll start looking at what other stuff I can do.”