Team tribute
‘I work with the girls running today and Kirsty asked if the family undertook this challenge for Macmillan in memory of Gillian’
THE SISTER of Campbeltown woman Gillian Stimson, who passed away after being diagnosed with cancer, has spoken of her gratitude to local fundraisers.
THE SISTER of Campbeltown woman Gillian Stimson, who passed away from cancer, has spoken of her gratitude to local fundraisers.
Colleagues of Katie McSporran this weekend pushed themselves to the limit and completed the MACC Challenge in memory of her sister Gillian, 57.
A team of six ladies from Argyll and Bute Customer Contact Centre ran, crawled, climbed and jumped their way around the 4.5-mile course while raising more than £1,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Further fundraising also took place on Saturday with a raffle organised by, and held at, Serenity Spa Machrihanish by Laura Kennedy, proprietor, raising more than £500.
Gillian passed away from cancer in the Sunshine Room at Campbeltown hospital in September, where she was being cared for by Macmillan nurses.
Katie spoke of the support the family received from Macmillan throughout Gillian’s illness. She said: ‘Invaluable is the only word to describe the support we got.
‘The Macmillan nurses even gave us their home numbers so they really were there 24 hours a day for the family.
‘I work with the girls running today and Kirsty asked if the family would mind if the girls undertook this challenge to raise money for Macmillan in memory of Gillian. We were absolutely humbled by this gesture.
‘I am so very proud and eternally grateful to everyone. We wouldn’t have got through this without the support.’
Gillian’s son Craig Edwards, 25, echoed her sentiment, adding: ‘I’m not good with words – I’m just so grateful for everything they’re doing.’
Support
Runner Kirsty Robertson said: ‘We decided to do this to support Katie. All the money we raise will go to Macmillan’s Campbeltown branch who supported Gillian and her family.’
Gillian was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013 and received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Beatson in Glasgow.
The treatment was initially successful and Gillian was in remission for three years.
In May this year, secondary tumours were been discovered in Gillian’s brain.
Her condition deteriorated and, on August 31, Gillian was admitted into the Sunshine Room where she passed away on September 8.
Before she died, Gillian completed her ‘bucket list’ by swimming with dolphins in Tenerife and going on a cruise.
Katie said that she passed away ‘leaving a legacy of love and many happy memories to her family and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
‘Gillian never gave up her fight and, despite her own battles, continued to support her family and volunteer within the Campbeltown area for numerous organisations.’