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A team of staff and schoolgirls from St Andrew’s Secondary School in Glasgow are in training, getting ready to take part in the Simplyhealth Great Women’s Run. This 10K women only run takes to the streets of Glasgow on Sunday June 4th. The team, mostly made up of students, is running to raise money for Beatson Cancer Charity… and it’s all down to PE Teacher, Susan Harrison.
Susan’s mum died of breast cancer two years ago and Beatson Cancer Charity is a cause close to her heart.
Beatson Charity Charity visits schools to talk about the work we do, often taking our busy bee mascot, Bella Beatson with us. After a visit from the charity and hearing Susan’s story, the girls were inspired to get together to run and start their fundraising efforts.
Susan, 30, said,
“Beatson Cancer Charity visited during a school assembly. I also gave a very emotional speech about why I wanted to raise money for this cause, and I’ve had an amazing response from the girls. My mum spent a lot of years at the Beatson before she passed away. The work they do to help cancer patients and their families is really important”.
St Andrew’s Secondary School is based in the East End of Glasgow. The roll call of girls from S4 – S6 is 350, so far 80 of them have signed up to run, with Susan hoping to swell the numbers to 100.
Susan, from Uddingston, has always been a runner and completed her first Great Women’s 10k when she was in 5th year at school. A netball injury forced her to take time out from running last year, but she’s getting back into the swing of things.
Running is part of Susan’s family, as her dad Tom Harrison, ran for Glasgow running club, Shettleston Harriers. And he’s also offered the schoolgirls some running training tips.
Such a fantastic response from the schoolgirls prompted Bella Beatson to clear her busy diary and visit the school to meet with the girls.
Amy Dreszler, Schools Engagement Fundraiser for Beatson Cancer Charity, said:
"We are so grateful to Susan and the pupils of St Andrew's Secondary School for choosing Beatson Cancer Charity. This truly fantastic level of support is so vital in helping us to continue to provide significant funding and services to enhance the wonderful care thousands of patients receive at The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and related facilities each year.
“On behalf of everyone at Beatson Cancer Charity, I’d like to wish Susan and all the girls the very best of luck for the Simplyhealth Great Women’s Run. Bella Beatson and all the team at the charity will be cheering them on! The money raised will go a very long way to supporting the charity in its fight against cancer, both now and in the future."
Susan said,
“St Andrew’s is in quite a deprived area of Glasgow and for the young girls to even pay the entry fee could be a struggle, but they see the benefit of what they are doing and really want to help make a difference to this cause”.
The Simplyhealth Great Women’s Run is the largest women only running event in Scotland, it takes place in Glasgow on Sunday June 4th.
The 10K route starts at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park and runs through the heart of the city’s west end, passing iconic landmarks such as The Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow University, The Science Centre and The SSE Hydro. All along the way there will be bands, pipers and dancers and all finishers receive a goody bag, which includes a medal, technical T-shirt and water.
