Diagnosis shock sparks family’s cycling fundraiser

OVER £15,000 has poured in for a fundraising Dumfries family who are facing the unimaginable. Valentine’s Day was supposed to be full of romance for Grant and Kirsten Learmont. Instead, it became the day their world shifted forever. Despite being only 40 years old and showing no typical symptoms, Grant was diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer. The couple spent the day at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, even sharing a “romantic” date in the hospital canteen. But the news they left with was a “bolt from the blue”. They since found out that Grant’s cancer has already spread aggressively into his bones. Whilst his condition is not curable, it is manageable with medication. Grant is due to start triplet therapy very soon – an intense treatment plan – that he knows “will take a lot out of him.” He said: “I got the unimaginable news of being diagnosed with stage four metastatic prostate cancer after showing no symptoms, with only a little bit of discomfort for a few weeks leading me to the doctors.” “Kirsten has been with me every step of the way for examinations, biopsy, scans, injections the lot. I couldn’t do this without her, she has been so strong throughout this, she is everything to me.” The husband and wife went through a whirlwind of feelings, including devastation, shock, and anger. However, that initial “why me?” has quickly transformed into a defiant “let’s get on with it.” Grant, a popular tradesman and business partner at Learmont & Sim Builders in the town, is determined to reach others in the industry who might dismiss aches and pains as just “part of the job.” His new motto, “Tools Down. Check Up”, is a plea to fellow workers to stop ignoring their bodies. He said: “I want to turn this crappy situation into a positive for others. This is not just something you get later in life. If you don’t feel right—get checked.” Rather than retreating, the Learmonts are hitting the road. Along with their children, Tilly and Shaw, they have signed up for the Tour de 4 cycle for Prostate Scotland and Prostate Cancer UK later this year. But they won’t be cycling alone as 15 family and friends will join them, including Grant’s best mate Craig Adamson. Craig will also be riding for his own dad, father-in-law, and uncle. The community response has been extraordinary so far: since launching the fundraiser last Friday, they have already raised over an incredible £15,000. This support is fuelling Grant’s fire as he prepares for both the treatment and the trek and he said: “I’m going to attempt the Tour de 4 with as much determination and fight as I will fight this disease. “I’ve been completely overwhelmed with the support I have received from my close friends, family and people I have known throughout my life reaching out to me. It’s amazing how much people care. “The doctors and my nurses have been amazing, I can’t praise them highly enough on how quick they have moved in all of this.” And it’s not just the fundraiser that has bonded the community together. The Learmonts are in the process in building their forever home. Kirsten explained: “With Grant being a builder, it was something we as a family were really looking forward to doing together but it might be a struggle now. “But friends in the trade have really stepped up to push things on for us.” To donate to Grant’s fundraiser visit www.gofundme.com/f/my-tour-de-4-2026-fundraiser-to-fight-cancer-2rv5q