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Pupils from Hillhead High School’s Kindness Club have raised more than £700 to support a Valentine’s Day rose giveaway at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, helping to spread kindness and brighten the day for patients, visitors and staff.
The initiative was inspired by former Beatson patient Kevin Lalley, who has been giving out roses at The Beatson every Valentine’s Day for almost nine years. After a teacher at Hillhead High School learned about Kevin’s tradition, pupils and staff came together to support the idea and help it reach even more people this year.
The Kindness Club, led by Elaine Cuthbertson, Faculty Head of Technologies at Hillhead High School, focuses on spreading positive, thoughtful actions within the school and the local community. While the group initially hoped to raise £100, the project quickly grew, with staff members donating generously.
Elaine said:
“The Kindness Club is all about carrying out small acts of kindness, which is one of our core values at Hillhead. We wanted to take what we do in school and extend it into the local community.
“Beatson Cancer Charity felt like the right charity to focus on. It’s very close to my heart, as The Beatson has supported my mum and many friend and family. This started as a very small idea and has grown into something really special. What the pupils have done has been outstanding.”
PICTURED: THE KINDNESS CLUB WITH KEVIN LALLEY
Pupils from different year groups worked together to fundraise by speaking to staff, sharing the appeal across the school, and explaining why the project mattered. Alongside fundraising, they spent several weeks designing and creating handmade motivational cards to accompany each rose, ensuring every gift felt personal.
Rakaya, 15, said:
“The Kindness Club is about spreading positivity and making everyone feel happy and included.”
Ayana, 13, added:
“We’ve done things like making Christmas cards before to spread joy around the school, but this felt really important because it was helping people beyond our school.”
Charlie, 13, said:
“We went round to teachers asking for donations and sent out emails. Everyone was really supportive.”
As part of the project, pupils also learned more about Beatson Cancer Charity and the support the charity provides.
Chelsey, 15, said:
“Learning about The Beatson was really informative, but also emotional. Hearing people’s stories helped us understand what people are going through.”
The experience has inspired pupils to continue supporting the charity in the future, including plans to share what they’ve learned with younger year groups through school assemblies.
Rachel, 15, said:
“It feels amazing. It’s an honour to be part of someone’s day and to remind them that the community cares about them and supports them.”
Kevin Lalley said the support from Hillhead High School has made this year’s Valentine’s Day particularly meaningful.
“I look forward to this every year,” Kevin said. “Something as simple as a rose can bring a bit of colour and a smile. The Kindness Club has been fantastic – their hard work and generosity will help make The Beatson a little brighter for so many people.”
The initiative was also supported by local florist Roots & Fruits, who supplied roses at cost price and provided wrapping materials, helping keep the project rooted in the local community.
Maisie McCormick, Community Fundraising Manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said:
“The kindness shown by the pupils and staff at Hillhead High School is truly heartwarming. Small gestures like this can mean so much to people attending The Beatson, and we’re incredibly grateful to the Kindness Club, Kevin, and everyone involved for helping to bring moments of comfort and warmth on Valentine’s Day.”
