Team Allan are going Off The Beatson Track their own way!

Beatson Cancer Charity is going virtual with their 7th annual Off the Beatson Track in August. The Allan family from Tillicoultry want to turn local villages and towns yellow on the weekend of 22nd and 23rd of August!

The Allan family began their connection with Beatson Cancer Charity in November 2019 when Russell went to his local hospital for a routine endoscopy because he had been suffering from terrible acid reflux, particularly at night and had begun to have problems swallowing food. Russell and Wendy were only 41, with 3 children Holly aged 13, Alfie aged 11 and Lexie aged 7, 2 dogs and a lifetime of adventure ahead of them, cancer was the last thing on their minds when Russell was given the diagnosis of oesophageal cancer, stage 3.

There followed a tidal wave of appointments, treatments, chemotherapy and a major operation since then, but they are finally looking to the end of treatment, and hopefully an end to cancer. Not to be beaten by the disease they have stayed positive throughout, Wendy has been keeping a blog of their experiences and Alfie, aged 11, organised a Beatson Brave Shave and raised £7819 for the Beatson Cancer Charity and they aren’t done yet! They are delighted to be involved with ‘Off the Beatson track‘ this year and hope it will become a new family tradition.

The family are very much looking forward to taking part, to support The Beatson where Russell received treatment.

Wendy Allan explained, “since my husband Russell was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in November 2019, our family life has turned upside down with many visits to hospital for appointments and treatments following his major operation. We have somehow managed to stay positive throughout.

Earmarking this day as a family is a big date in our diary as it means we are hopeful that it is a way to celebrate the end to cancer. We hope our local community will walk with us and join in.”

Wendy is thankful to Beatson Cancer Charity and has already raised a staggering £8,000 with son Alfie, aged 11, who organised a Beatson Brave Shave just before lockdown. They are hoping by participating in this walk that they'll gain more sponsorship.

Sign up for Off The Beatson Track here.