Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Posthumous award for much-loved Grant, 39
Grant Callachan was just 39 when he died and his proud wife Michelle and mum Barbara travelled to London to collect the award on his behalf.
Grant was a physiotherapist at Arbroath Infirmary and was nominated for the Our Health Heroes accolade by his boss Angela Murphy, the allied health professional lead for Angus.
The group recognises people “who put patient care first, strive to keep their team motivated and are true heroes to the healthcare sector”.
Michelle said of the award: “This is an amazing legacy to his memory and it was very poignant to be able to receive it on his behalf.
“I am so proud of Grant. It was a very happy but also sad occasion for us. This was a special award for Grant because he is sadly no longer with us.
“He was so highly thought of by everyone he worked with.”
Angela told the Tele that she nominated Grant for the award because of his many “special” qualities.
She said: “Our Health Heroes decided to create a special award for Grant because they were so keen to honour him.
“Grant really was such an inspirational person to work with.
“I worked with him for a number of years and he was just such a positive person to have in the workplace.
“Even when he was ill he continued to be an enormous support to his patients.”
When Grant was diagnosed with the brain tumour in May 2015, he was given only two to three months to live.
However, he defied the medics and survived until January, managing to marry long-term partner Michelle.
After his diagnosis he had two key ambitions — to get married and go on holiday to Disneyland Paris with Michelle and his children, Michael, 16, and eight-year-old Amy.
The streets of Arbroath were lined with well-wishers when Grant and Michelle came out of the town’s registry office after their marriage.
Sadly, however, he never made the holiday as he became too ill to make the journey.
Grant was born in Dundee and went to Arbroath Academy. He started working as a carer in the town when he left school and later qualified as a physiotherapist.
Although Grant received chemotherapy and radiotherapy, doctors decided nothing could be gained from the treatments and they were stopped.
He enjoyed one last glass of red wine with his older brother Jamie before he died, after receiving “amazing care” from medical staff.
A TAYSIDE dad-of-two who lost his brave battle with brain cancer has been posthumously given a special health hero honour.