A TRANENT dad who is battling terminal cancer was invited to join First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as she hosted guests at this year’s Edinburgh Tattoo.

Johnnie Meechan, who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, or NET cancer, last year, has received huge public support after he took the decision to chart his journey on social media to raise awareness of the condition.

His video blog and Facebook page are followed by thousands of people and inspired a fundraising campaign to help people with terminal cancer. Johnnie’s Journey has raised more than £15,000 since it was launched.

Johnnie was invited to join the First Minister at her official Edinburgh residence Bute House for drinks and supper before going to the royal box at the Tattoo.

And he was delighted to have an opportunity to talk about his awareness campaign.

Johnnie said: “It was great to meet her and get my story across. She seemed very interested and promised to forward it to their health people. Her husband was also present so I had a natter with him too.

“I was surprised to meet the High Commissioner of Canada, Janice Charette, and her partner. We had a long chat about NET cancer too; I explained it wasn’t just a British problem but the same issues are echoed worldwide. She too promised to look into it, so that was an unexpected bonus.

“It was a surreal and fantastic night. I feel I got NET cancer on to a bigger stage, which is all I’m trying to do.”

Johnnie was invited to the Tattoo last weekend and his day began with even more good news as he received the results of recent hormone tests which showed his cancer was “relatively dormant”.

The dad-of-five, who lives on Coalgate Avenue, recently began mistletoe therapy – an alternative treatment which supports other medical treatment and has been found to have remarkable results.

He said: “My hormone levels are currently normal which means the cancer isn’t currently overly active. I have a full body scan early next month.”