Picture Ref: 77732-52BUDDING DJ Ciaran Boast has given the music of reggae legend Bob Marley a hip-hop twist to help cancer sufferers.

The 16-year-old has helped re-mix several of the iconic star's best known songs in aid Macmillan Cancer Relief.

And it's all in memory of Ciaran's grandfather, John Boast, who helped launch the Swindon Cancer Appeal back in March 2003.

Sadly, John died just six months after the campaign began after a courageous battle with cancer of the kidneys.

But his bravery and warmth inspired many Advertiser readers to get behind the fundraising drive, which has now raised more than £700,000.

Ciaran has remixed four classics Marley tracks No Woman No Cry, One Love, Buffalo Soldier and Punky Reggae Party. Other DJs have re-mixed more tracks.

The songs can be downloaded at www.b-n-r.com/bootlegend, in return for a donation to Macmillan.

Although the cash won't go directly to the Swindon appeal, it will go towards supporting the work of Macmillan nurses elsewhere.

Ciaran, who is in the middle of his GCSEs at Dorcan Technology College, said: "I got the idea from a similar project last year where DJs remixed Fat Boy Slim songs.

"It raised £1,000 for charity, and I'm hoping to do as well.

"I got other people on board from an internet forum for DJs.

"I wanted to do this for Macmillan because they were such a great help to both my granddad and my nan.

"Granddad coped so well with everything and he was never negative about his illness."

Ciaran who dreams of becoming a professional DJ chose Bob Marley songs because the star died of cancer.

"His music is also really popular with young people," added Ciaran, of Cole View, Covingham.

Ciaran's mother Jan is really proud of her son.

"It's such a good idea, and he's done everything himself," she said. "John was my father-in-law but in many ways he was like a father to me and I still miss him.

"He loved music and would have really liked hearing these songs."

The campaign for more Macmillan nurses in Swindon currently stands at £722,152.

Highworth Running Club recently raised £120 by holding a sponsored five-mile run and the Ring Coffee Bar, in Cavendish Square, collected £500.

Tamash Lal