Tribute to a true gentleman

16th November 2017 12:00

16th November 2017

It gave us great sadness to hear of the passing of a true gentleman and our ambassador Bill Kilpatrick on the 24th October 2017.  

Bill was closely involved in setting up the ‘Friends of The Beatson’ charity in 1995, in partnership with his son Alan Kilpatrick and Ian Dickson who are now non-executive board members of Beatson Cancer Charity.  

Bill along with his wife Barbara wanted to be involved in a practical way and enlisted the service of friends and family in many fundraising ventures for the charity along with providing useful items to help Beatson staff, patients and families.   

A call from the ward staff to Bill for anything from a small shaving mirror to a portable television, it would appear the next day. He even sourced specialist hand heating mats to enable chemotherapy to be delivered more easily, along with many other items that made a world of difference. This small team Bill would coordinate added a very personal touch to their fundraising and generosity which everyone truly appreciated.  

Bill was so generous with his time and was very highly regarded by the medical, nursing and radiography staff at The Beatson. He had a warm smile for everyone and time for a wee chat and catch up on their news. Nothing was never ever a problem; indeed, he did like a challenge.  

With the merger between ‘Friends of the Beatson’ and the ‘Beatson Oncology Fund’ to create Beatson Cancer Charity in 2014, he became an ambassador of Beatson Cancer Charity. Not only Bill of course, his wife Barbara, his daughter in law Elaine and Grandchildren Heather and Duncan.  He then became more involved in supporting the various fundraising events ensuring that fundraisers had their Beatson t-shirts, maps and instructions travelling all over Scotland to deliver them. He would always be on the sidelines whenever he could to be cheering them on.  

He will be sadly missed and not only for his commitment to fundraising and supporting the charity but for his kindness, friendship and his pride at the achievements of the charity for the benefits of patients and their families.  

Our sincerest sympathies, are with everyone who knew and loved Bill, particularly his family in this difficult time.