Every step was worth it to raise £5k in honour of our friend Karen
Renfrewshire churchgoers who took on this year’s Kiltwalk raised over £5,000 for a charity close to their hearts.
Members of Johnstone’s UIC Church and their friends and family took part in the event to raise funds for the Beatson Cancer Charity.
Former Paisley woman Karen Gibson was diagnosed with breast cancer and ovarian cancer back in 2012 and has received support from the Beatson over the years.
Church member Kirsti Reid, a good friend of Karen’s who runs a small business in Paisley, decided that the UIC group should raise cash for the cancer charity close to their hearts.
She told us: “I am the wife of one of our pastors and my amazing friend Karen has received great support and treatment from the Beatson for nine years now and she is currently in the Beatson.
“I suggested that we walk for them and everyone in the team totally agreed.
“Through our fundraising, an added prize from the special Arnold Clark draw on the day and the total being topped up by Sir Tom Hunter, we collectively managed to raise £5,128 for the amazing charity, which really offers so much support to so many people.
“We have a heart for community and are delighted to have raised so much.”
Karen’s husband Raymond also took part in the Mighty Stride, which saw the group walk 16.5 miles while a smaller group, including the two church pastors Jason and Shaun, took on the Wee Wander of 3.5 miles.
Karen, who is currently back at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow for treatment, is said to be very impressed with the group’s efforts.
Raymond said: “Kirsti is very good friends with my wife and it was her suggestion we raised funds for the Beatson.
“It was heartwarming to hear she had chosen this charity that’s so close to us.
“My wife has received treatment and support from the charity for nine and a half years now, and she is currently in there as she isn’t feeling great after spending three weeks in Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride.
“The charity has given us a great deal of support over the years and the staff are just wonderful with my wife.
“The day of the walk was quite nice. It was sunny, but not too warm or too cold, although I was glad to see the finish line.
“But doing the walk for charity gives you motivation to keep on going and gives you a sense of achievement.
“Knowing we’ve raised such a wonderful amount of money is just great.”
Kirsti, who shares her birthday with Karen on May 25, is also delighted with the funds raised.
She added: “I initially thought if we raised £1,000 for the Beatson, that would be great, but to raise over £5,000 is just amazing.
“When you know there’s nothing you can physically do for Karen, raising money for the charity she is being looked after by is our way of giving something back.
“We all truly love her and Raymond and the work the charity does for them and for so many other people across the country.”
Doing the walk for charity gives you motivation to keep on going and gives you a sense of achievement