A FAMILY from Tillicoultry are looking to turn Wee County villages and towns yellow next month for a good cause.

The Allen family are gearing up for the seventh annual Off the Beatson Track event in August to support Beatson Cancer Charity.

The annual mass participation event has gone virtual due to the Covid-19 crisis and will see people tackle a 10k challenge on the weekend of August 22 and 23.

Many participants, including the Allens, will be exploring their local area instead of taking on the usual city circuit with the crowds.

Mum Wendy Allen said: "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."

Indeed, Wendy and the family have been raising funds as a way of giving back, already netting a whopping £8,000 for the good cause.

Son Alfie, 11, even organised a Beatson Brave Shave just before the coronavirus lockdown, which was a major part of that effort.

It is a cause close to their heart after dad Russell's diagnosis.

Their life was turned upside down after he went for routine endoscopy because he had been suffering from terrible acid reflux.

At the age of only 41, with three children, two dogs and many adventures still ahead, cancer was the last thing on the couple's mind.

However, Russell was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer stage three and there followed a tide of appointments, treatments, chemotherapy and a major operation.

They are finally looking to the end of treatment and, hopefully, an end to cancer.

Maisie McCormick, community fundraising manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, added: "Proceeds for this event will be dedicated to extension of support services and continued investment in vital research at Beatson Cancer Hospital.

"This is our biggest event of the year and we are extremely disappointed not to be able to hold it in the normal format, but I very much hope this virtual experience will be just as much fun and encourage even more supporters to sign up."

People are being encouraged to visit beatsoncancercharity.org/otbt and sign up for the event.