Doing our bit to support Scotland’s battle against cancer

Connected Scotland
Jul 27, 2017 · 3 min read

Every single day in Scotland, 87 people are diagnosed with cancer. Think about that for a moment. That’s more than 3 people every hour.

Cancer has no prejudices. While there are many lifestyle choices we can make to fend off the disease, it can ultimately hit any one of us, without even a single warning.

That’s what happened to my colleague at Grant Thornton, Gill Hunter, who survived bowel cancer. In one short week, she went from a healthy young woman to a cancer patient, undergoing extensive treatment designed to save her life.

Gill’s story inspired us all — particularly her tales about the people who helped get her through the trauma of cancer. Maggie’s Centres was one such organisation. The charity provides a comfortable space for patients. Somewhere that isn’t a hospital and doesn’t offer medicine, just a shoulder to cry on, and much needed support in pleasant surroundings, backed-up with real practical advice on how to look after yourself at a time when your body is enduring intense physical and emotional pressure.

For the last year or so, we’ve been raising thousands of pounds in our Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen offices for Maggie’s Centres. Now, we’re preparing for our next — crazy — fundraising mission. Along with two of my colleagues, Paula Fraser and Ross Lamont, I’ll be cycling 360 miles around Scotland in just four days. We’ll stop off at Maggie’s Centres across the nation, to say hi and thank them personally for their great work.

Stuart Preston

For me personally, this is a huge challenge. Prior to March this year I hadn’t sat on a road bike in over 25 years. I don’t think I had really appreciated the full extent of such a physical challenge, a point not lost on Gill who recently suggested that what I lack in experience I more than make up for in enthusiasm! Very true! And that enthusiasm stems from the utterly inspiring story that Gill tells about her challenge and the invaluable support provided by each and every person associated with Maggie’s. So when my enthusiasm starts to slip (as it does when I’m toiling my way through my training rides), I simply remind myself of the significantly tougher challenges that others are facing and for which they are turning to Maggie’s for support.

So you will see why Paula, Ross and I are doing everything we possibly can to raise funds for this incredible charity. And every pound donated will definitely help to spur us on to complete what I have come to realise will be a particularly gruelling bike ride.

If you can help by providing even the smallest of donations, click on the link below and help our team reach our target of £20,000.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gtscotlandcyclechallenge

Stuart Preston is an Advisory Director at Grant Thornton, based in Edinburgh

Many thanks to our sponsors: Redwood Leisure, Park Inn by Radisson & John Clark Motor Group for their support in this important fundraising drive.

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