Those you love
In celebration of his life four years after his passing, Steven’s family and friends are preparing for the third Thornhill 10k run in his memory.
Steven’s close friend, Neil MacLaren initiated the concept of the challenge when he ran 10k every day for a year to raise funds for Beatson Cancer Charity. He completed the feat in April 2021 and raised over £11,000.
Following Neil’s achievements, his family and the Blacks teamed up with Tay Fitness Events to create the Thornhill 10k, where £2 from every 10K entry fee is donated to Beatson Cancer Charity.
Remembering how they were struck by the calming atmosphere of The Beatson when she and Steven attended for what would be his only appointment, Pam said: “It just had a lovely vibe around the place, and that just stuck with me.
“We also had a friend who had terminal cancer and he had a lot of visits and a lot of treatment at The Beatson, and that was very close to our hearts, too.
“I thought it would just be so nice to help other people in a similar situation, because everybody there was so lovely and helpful.”
The Thornhill 10k event has to date raised over £15,000 for Beatson Cancer Charity, while Steven’s family, Neil MacLaren, and the community of Thornhill in which the family’s farm sits have raised over £36,000 for the cause.
The scenic route, which takes in spectacular views of Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, Flanders Moss, Ben Ledi and Ben Lomond, has attracted participants from the length and breadth of the country since the inaugural event in 2022.
Tay Fitness Events, whose team organises the run on behalf of Steven’s family, say the event’s relatively flat route gives runners the potential to achieve a personal best time.
Pam and Steven’s children, 30year old Claire, 27-year old Gregor and Emily, 21, are also rolling up their sleeves in preparation for the third annual Thornhill 10K fund-raiser.
Said elder daughter, Claire: “The first year, we were really overwhelmed by the response. We’d never done it before, so we were like rabbits in headlights.
“We were also a bit nervous about how people in Thornhill would react to associated road closures, but the community all came out in support.
“Everyone was shouting support from their houses, people were coming down with tea and cakes. It was a really nice atmosphere.”
Last May, 750 runners signed up for the event, and the family are hoping to smash that record this year.
Saying that her dad would have been proud to realise what his family and their supporters have achieved, Emily added: “He was a very emotional man. He’d probably shed a tear, knowing that everyone is coming out to support not only the event, but also him as well.”
Agreeing that her husband wore his heart on his sleeve, Pam added: “Steven was the most kindhearted, hard-working, emotional man.
“He just loved his children and he’d have done anything for them. He loved sport. Gregor was into rugby, Emily had ponies and Claire was a runner. He loved to see his kids taking part in sport and was always there to cheer them on. If they won or got a medal, he’d have a tear in his eye.”
Maisie McCormick, community fundraising manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We’re completely overwhelmed by the support the Black family, their friends and the Thornhill community have shown us since Steven passed away in 2020.
“Thanks to the community and Tay Fitness Events, the Thornhill 10k has become an annual success, with people looking forward to taking part each year.
“The incredible amount of money raised so far allows us to support other cancer patients and their families who are going through treatment.”
Offering her advice and support to those families whose loved ones are being cared for at The Beatson, Pam – whose parents-inlaw Archie and Margaret still live and help out on the family farm – said: “Always support each other. Try to keep as positive as you can be and, most importantly, savour every minute you have got.”
* To register for the Thornhill 10k on Sunday, May 5, 2024, visit www.tayfitness.com/events/ thornhill-10k/
To donate to Beatson Cancer Charity, see: www. beatsoncancercharity.org/ donate/
They could see their dad melting away in front of their eyes. I felt completely robbed, but he was amazing Pam Black
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