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Beatson Cancer Charity’s Off the Beatson Track event on Sunday 27th August has raised over £145,000 and is officially the biggest walk the charity has organised.
The walk celebrated its 10th anniversary and saw over 2,700 walkers take part in the 10K across Glasgow’s west end.
STV’s Laura Boyd and BBC’s David Farrell hosted the event, which started at the Riverside Museum, where participants took part in Zumba warm-up sessions from the Zumba Sisters.
The family of Eilidh McHugh, who sadly passed away aged 22 in 2017 following a rare cancer diagnosis, pushed the plunger to signal the start of the walk. Tam the Piper piped the walkers off – led by 133 pupils and staff from Bishopbriggs Academy and Eilidh McHugh’s family.
The walk went past The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre on Great Western Road, via Kelvingrove Museum and back to the Riverside Museum to finish.
VIDEO: Off the Beatson Track 2023!
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Entertainment was also along the route from local groups including Rock Choir, Phoenix Flames Cheerleaders, SING aLOUD and Scottish Police & Community Choir.
Supporters have already raised over £84,000 through JustGiving pages set up for the event.
PICTURED: Off the Beatson Track walkers at the start line
One group of 52 walkers took part in the event, including one member who flew in from Kenya for the event.
It’s after 55-year old Matthew Ndungu Kimani, who lived in Cambuslang, passed away last year following a multiple myeloma diagnosis.
PICTURED: Matthew's family and friends walking in his memory
He was treated in The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre but sadly died in August 2022.
Reverent Father John Njoroge, who is the Parish Priest in the family’s hometown, travelled from Kenya to walk with the family.
The family performed a poignant dance at the finish line at the Riverside Museum, which gathered a crowd of other walkers who watched on, with many joining in.
Matthew’s mum, 80-year old Priscilla Muge who lives in Cardonald, said: “Matthew died last year so we are here to try and give a big thank you to The Beatson for the immense and memorable work they did on my son while he was ill.
“Although he died, we were very grateful for what the medical team did for him, so we are here as a family to say thank you so much for the immense work put in.
“We would like to keep his memory going and would like to raise any funds that can help save another life. We are forever grateful.”
Matthew was a lawyer and a grandfather to 14 children – most of whom took part in the walk.
Most of the family, originally from Kenya, now live in and around Glasgow and have done for over 20 years.
Some family members travelled from England and other parts of Scotland to be there on Sunday.
Matthew’s brother, 33-year old Si Wachira from Hamilton, said: “I had never really been to The Beatson until Matthew wasn’t well and he was there.
“It was amazing to see the work that everybody there does and also see so many families going in and out – you don’t realise how many families are affected.
“This is the least we can do – come and support the work of The Beatson.”
Maisie McCormick, community fundraising manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “There’s no feeling quite like watching all the Off the Beatson Track walkers take over the streets of Glasgow in their yellow t-shirts.
“The walk was just incredible and reading everyone’s messages on the back of their t-shirts which explained why the walk was so important to them was so emotional.
“We’d just like to thank everyone who gave up their Sunday to come out and support our charity – the money raised will allow us to support more cancer patients and families in the future.”
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