Donate
Bishopbriggs Academy pupils will be taking part in Beatson Cancer Charity’s ‘Off the Beatson Track’ event, to celebrate the event’s 10th year.
The 10k walk takes place on Sunday 27th August, which STV’s Laura Boyd and Heart FM and BBC’s David Farrell will be hosting.
Sign up to Off the Beatson Track
The East Dunbartonshire school has supported the charity for a number of years after pupil Francesca Mancini passed away in 2016 just a few weeks before her 21st birthday, following treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Francesca took part in the walk in 2016 with over one hundred friends and family members, and sadly passed away less than one week later.
PICTURED: Francesca Mancini
Claire Kerr, Depute Head Teacher at Bishopbriggs Academy, said: “We’ve been doing Off the Beatson Track since 2016. We started doing it alongside one of our former pupils, Francesca Mancini.
“Unfortunately, Francesca very sadly passed away and we wanted to keep Francesca’s memory alive, so we’ve continued to do the walk ever since.
“We started out with a group of 10 and we now have over 100 pupils doing it annually.
“The atmosphere on the day is incredible and I think the fact we’re all doing it together for such a fantastic charity is the real buzz around it all."
PICTURED: Claire Kerr with pupils from Bishopbriggs Academy
Claire continued: “We’re always really keen to allow our pupils to see the importance in giving back to the community and to give back to others around them - it’s something we’re very proud of.
“We have lots of pupils and staff who have links to The Beatson or may have family members who have received treatment, and we think it’s just a wonderful place.”
The last decade has seen over 14,000 participants walk over 86,800 miles - making it Glasgow's most yellow-sponsored walk. The fun-filled 10k walk is fully accessible and suitable for all ages with plenty of family entertainment.
Those taking part in the event will be given a free Off the Beatson Track t-shirt after signing up, and a limited-edition medal to celebrate 10 years for completing it.
The event will start at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow and go past The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre on Great Western Road, via Kelvingrove Museum and back to the Riverside Museum to finish.
PICTURED: Bishopbriggs Academy Prefects with Teddi the Beatson Ambassadog
Local primary school pupils have been creating posters which will be displayed on the hospital grounds on the route. Pupils have also decorated rocks which will be used to line parts of the route.
The charity’s encouraging walkers to stay and enjoy the festival village once they have crossed the finish line back at the Riverside Museum afterwards, where there will be entertainment and food stalls.
PICTURED: Bishopbriggs Academy Prefect with Bella the Beatson Bee
Maisie McCormick, community fundraising manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 10th Off the Beatson Track event this year.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who has taken part over the years – some families have been with us since the beginning, so we hope everyone will get behind the celebrations this year and join us.
“Every single person who signs up is allowing us to support more cancer patients and their families over the years to come, and we cannot thank you enough for that.”
For more information or to sign up to go Off the Beatson Track click here.
