Beatson Cancer Charity’s Ladies Lunch raises £50,000 in first charity event since before pandemic

Beatson Cancer Charity’s annual Ladies Lunch raised £50,000 at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow yesterday. 

It was the first live event we've hosted since before the pandemic. 

Kaye Adams hosting the event

TV and radio presenter, Kaye Adams, hosted the lunch, which around 550 guests attended.  

Kaye said: “I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be back here. 

“I almost felt a little bit tearful - when you stand up there and you see all of these faces again and you just think ‘well, this is what it should be’.  

“The support for the Beatson is still very much there, it’s so heartwarming to see – it's been an absolutely brilliant day.” 

Staff from event sponsor, AutoRek

Guests enjoying a performance of 'That's Amore' from Tenors Unlimited

An auction was held during the event by Alex Fleming, with prizes including a room in your home designed by Scottish interior designer, John Amabile, tickets to Celine Dione’s concert and a private dining experience for 34 people at Nico Simeone’s new restaurant, Beat 6 – where 100% of profits go to Beatson Cancer Charity. 

Guests were also able to enter a Lollipop Raffle for the chance to win prizes including spa days and dinner vouchers – with the star prize being a Mulberry handbag.

The winner of the Mulberry handbag was 40-year-old Samantha Currie, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. 

Mulberry Handbag prize winner, Samantha Currie, with Sheila Sheila McHarg from AutoRek and Kaye Adams

Mulberry Handbag prize winner, Samantha Currie, with family and friends

Samantha, from Stirling, said: “We had an amazing day at the Beatson Cancer Charity lunch. Great entertainment, great hosts, great company and all for a great cause.  

“I had my 7th round of chemotherapy four days before the event so wasn’t sure how I would feel on the day, but I was determined to make it and enjoy it.  

“Then to top it all off, I won the Mulberry handbag. With all I’m going through, this felt like more than just a bag, it felt like some good luck was finally coming my way - thank you so much to everyone at the Beatson.” 

Liana Mullen, founder of candle and fragrance brand Timeless by Liana, had a pop up at the event where 100% of profits from all sales went to Beatson Cancer Charity. 

Liana said: “The Beatson’s very close to our hearts as we’ve had several family members that have benefitted from the services and the support that they get in the Beatson. 

“Everybody that’s in contact with this charity - it just means so much to them and it means a lot to us. 

“It’s so good to be able to actually just add some sort of value and give something back to such an important cause.”  

Lindsay Barry and Liana Mullen, founder of Timeless by Liana

Guests were entertained throughout the day by special guests including mind reader Drew McAdam, singers Tenors Unlimited and Elite Cabaret Shows. 

Guests enjoying a performance by Tenors Unlimited & Elite Cabaret Shows performing at the end of the event

The total raised at the event yesterday surpassed what was raised at the last Ladies Lunch in 2019. 

Martin Cawley, CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “Today has been amazing – this is the first event we’ve had in over two years and such a successful event at that.  

“There’s over 500 people having a great time, and in doing so they’re raising a fantastic amount of money for our charity. 

 “It’s an unbelievable amount – to raise £50,000 in one afternoon is absolutely phenomenal. 

“I thought we did really well when we raised £40,000 last time, but to get £10,000 more – outstanding.” 

Thank you to all our wonderful guests who helped raise such a fantastic amount of money!

Thank you to everyone involved in making it such a special event: event sponsor AutoRek, entertainment sponsor Glamour Eyes, Design Sponsor Branding Boutique, Print Sponsor Mackay & Inglis Ltd, host Kaye Adams, entertainers Drew McAdam, Tenors Unlimited & Elite Cabaret Shows, auctioneer Alex Fleming, Hilton Hotel Glasgow, Vision Events, Mulberry Glasgow, photographer Martin Windebank, Baby Grand, our committee members (Gillian Lyon, Helen Livingston, Yvonne Hughes and Joan Serafini), Timeless by Liana, everyone who donated fantastic auction and raffle prizes and of course our fantastic volunteers.