HOLIDAY accommodation in Turkey and a signed British & Irish Lions jersey are among the items up for grabs at a special auction.

Archie Hamilton was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma – a rare type of bone cancer – in October last year.

The teenager has undergone proton beam therapy in Manchester and is nearing the end of chemotherapy.

Initially, it was thought that the Knox Academy pupil had suffered a sports injury before the shock diagnosis was confirmed.

Now, Haddington RFC are doing what they can to help their club member.

Archie’s dad Robin highlighted the support that the rugby club had given to his son, who is “doing well” back home in Haddington, over recent months.

East Lothian Courier: Archie Hamilton, pictured with mum Lyn, has been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with a type of bone cancer

He said: “The local rugby club, and Keith Wallace [club president] in particular, have been fantastic.

“He has been keeping in touch with us and thinking about other things he can do.

“During the Six Nations, Archie was able to watch Scotland train the day before they played Ireland.

“He got the opportunity to meet about 20 of the players and the coaches.

“That was a real perking-up moment – he was quite low at that point.

“He got to go to the game the next day, and Keith and the rugby club have been amazing.”

The club is also hosting an auction with a number of eye-catching lots on offer.

Mr Wallace was keen for the club to help how they could and said: “As has been previously reported, members of our club the Hamilton family have been hit by two of their children having serious illnesses which need treatment in different cities in England [Archie’s sister Nancy was diagnosed with dystonia, a rare genetic condition, seven years ago].

“The emotional, financial and logistical problems facing the family are hard to imagine.

“To support Lyn, Robin, Archie, Nancy and Murin in this time of need, we are promoting this auction in an effort to help the family financially through a prolonged period of increased costs and reduced income.

“We have been delighted by the response of local individuals and organisations who have donated auction lots.”

Among the lots up for grabs are golf at Musselburgh Old Course with hickory clubs; brewery/distillery visits at Belhaven and Glenkinchie; Tartan Trews from the Scotland Shop; a voucher for Foxlake; a week’s accommodation at a five-star apartment in Turkey; a night for two at Marine North Berwick; a top-of-the-range lawnmower; entry to the Edinburgh Marathon; a signed Lions jersey donated by Edinburgh Rugby Oldies Society (EROS); a hand-crafted custom bundle from Oak & Black; and lunch/training with Edinburgh Rugby.

Robin thanked the club and the community – with a number of pupils and members of staff at Knox Academy taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival – for their continued support of the 16-year-old.

He said: “It is still overwhelming as well as heart-warming.

“It is lovely people think about us and what we are going through, and especially what Archie is going through, and are able to do things for us.”

Already, a number of bids and donations have been made to the auction, which ends on Saturday.

Visit uk.givergy.com/HRFCAuction2023 to find out more.