A TILLICOULTRY mum launched Scotland’s first Race for Life event this year in memory of her son.

Fiona Conaghan lost her son Stuart Hutchison to brain cancer in 2019 and was selected to sound the horn to start the event, held by Cancer Research UK, in his legacy.

She said: “I miss my handsome boy Stuart more with every passing day. His memory is with me every second.

“Stuart was born at home and from the second he burst in to our lives, he made life feel complete.

“When he knew he was going to die, he wanted to die at home. One of our only comforts is that Stuart died surrounded by his family who loved him and that he is with his pet bulldog Nero.

 

Fiona Conaghan sounded the horn to start the Race for Life in memory of her son, Stuart Hutchison. Pictures by Race for Life.

Fiona Conaghan sounded the horn to start the Race for Life in memory of her son, Stuart Hutchison. Pictures by Race for Life.

 

“Now, if I can do anything to help support other families and stop them going through this, then I will.

“I support Race for Life in memory of my hero Stuart but also in honour of my mum Betty, dad Jimmy and my cousin Julie who we also lost to cancer.”

More than 750 people ran the 5k and 10k events held on Sunday, with over £63,000 raised in total for cancer research.

Ben MacKay, 18, of Muckhart came first in the 5k Race for Life, included in a team who raised more than £1,000 in memory of his dad Hamish MacKay.

A team of teachers from Lochies School also completed the 10k and raised more than £1,300. Sydney resident Alison Whyte returned to the UK to help sell gerbera flowers with the Wee County Fundraising Committee which her brother Ian is a member of.

 

Staff from Lochies School raised over £1,300. Pictures by Race for Life.

Staff from Lochies School raised over £1,300. Pictures by Race for Life.

 

Lisa Adams, spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK, said: “We are grateful to Fiona and family for their support and incredibly sorry to hear about Stuart.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life Stirling.

“Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to our supporters who fundraise.

“The atmosphere at Race for Life Stirling was hugely moving – full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones to the disease.

“Now, we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’ve raised as soon as possible.

“Funds raised – whether it’s £10 or £100 – will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”