Lymphoma Aftermath Part 4:

Celebrations that really count

An extra-special party time:

Celebrating my 60th birthday really has been a humbling and life-affirming experience – mostly due to a cancer charity fundraiser we held that has netted more than £8,500.

The idea of a fundraising party came about while I was undergoing treatment last summer – it was something positive to focus on during a bleak time.

My wife, Debbie, and daughter, Anna, brought up the idea while we were out strolling the lanes near our house – uncertain if I was even going to still be alive.

We thought that people could donate to charity instead of the more usual offer to buy me a pint for my birthday.

But what we reckoned would be a modest affair grew into something really great – thanks to the wonderful couple who run our local pub – the Lodge In The Lane, Eaglesham – and the owner of a golf simulator that’s set up there.

Pre-party social media publicity generated by us all meant we were inundated with raffle and auction prizes, as well as dozens of donations to a JustGiving page we set up for the Beatson Cancer Charity.

The Beatson charity was so supportive and our event took place on Saturday 18 April – a day after owners Julie Barr and Ryan McNamara reopened the pub following a major refurbishment.

Thinking about that, it’s nuts that they took this event on while going through the stress of a refit but that’s the sort of kind-hearted attitude that makes our village a real community.

More than 400 people came and went during the course of the afternoon and evening.

The raffle, with dozens of prizes, was backed up by a silent auction for some highly desirable items, such as a signed Celtic top, signed Rangers football, collectible bottle of whisky, a four-ball at Bonnyton Golf Club and a handcrafted fire-pit that raised £1,500-plus.

In addition, the pub’s Birdie Bar golf simulator, owned and run by Jamie Miller, hosted a “nearest the pin” competition that proved hugely popular. The winner of that received a four-ball at the new Eastwood 12-hole golf course.

There were also donation buckets, football cards and QR codes to access the JustGiving page we had set up.

I couldn’t get over how many friends from near and far made the effort to turn up to show their love and support.

The biggest surprise was one of my dearest pals from my university days, back in the 80s, who turned up unannounced having travelled from France, where he now lives.

That did reduce me to tears and I feel guilty for not having spent more time with him but there were so many people to speak to from all corners of my life who I had not expected to be there.

I also felt very guilty because Debbie, Anna, Julie, Ryan, Jamie and the rest of the bar team spent hours raising money and getting food prepared for people to enjoy while I swanned about chatting to people.

The Beatson charity means a lot to me because, beyond the volunteers who come around the wards dishing out Tunnock’s treats, it helps to fund the medics and equipment that saved my life.

But I now intend to organise further charity events this year and beyond to recognise the other charities that have been so pivotal – such as Maggie’s Centres.

Reflecting on this 60th birthday fundraiser, I really do see it as a celebration of life and fresh starts with familiar faces both for me and our friends at the Lodge.

I also had the chance to say a special word of thanks to Debbie and Anna and apologise for putting them through the wringer last year “while I was on my jollies at the Beatson, Queen Elizabeth and New Victoria hospitals”!

Family matters:

My 60th birthday was on Easter Monday, while my father-in-law was celebrating his 80th later in the month.

So, Debbie and the “outlaws”, as I refer to her family, all decided we should have a joint get-together over the holiday weekend in Northumberland.

There were a dozen of us staying in a fantastic holiday home near Dunstanburgh Castle on the coast.

We had an absolute blast that was so meaningful to me because of the vibrance across the three generations present.

Quizzes, a darts competition and mini pool-table tournament were all part of the fun, as well as visits out and about to different villages.

For me, though, a real highlight was getting to golf on the local links course on Easter Sunday.

We had all the seasons in one day but I will never forget the experience of being drenched and pelted by a severe hail outburst beneath the castle ruins and then watching the storm pass out to sea.

That was, thankfully, followed by warm sunshine and blustery winds to dry us out.

It brought to mind the power of the forces of nature and how good it is to be alive and be able to enjoy those.