THE family of a patient at Inverclyde Royal Hospital has raised almost £5,000 to support the renal dialysis unit after taking on the challenge of the Glasgow Kiltwalk.
“Big Stuart’s Squad”, ten members made up of family and friends of Stuart Wilson, completed the 23-mile walk from Glasgow to Balloch. Stuart Wilson, 83, has been attending the unit since July 2024.
The team, made up of Stuart’s daughter Fiona Rintoul, 59, and her brother Graham Wilson, along with Lorna Hendriks, Bill Guthrie, Cherie Guthrie, Abbie Nye, Claire Nisbet, Stuart Addie, Erin Guinea and Erin Toland, raised an impressive £4,882.21.
Fiona, from Kilmacolm, said: “The renal dialysis unit has become like a second family to my dad. He talks so highly of everyone there and the care and support they provide.
“The unit staff go above and beyond every day to make treatment as pleasant as possible. They organise transport to and from the hospital and arrange activities and quizzes for patients, helping to create a real sense of community.
“The friendships my dad has made with both patients and staff will last a lifetime. We wanted to do something to say thank-you and give something back, and while the Kiltwalk certainly wasn’t easy, it was worth every step.”
The donation will support the work of the unit, which provides life-sustaining kidney dialysis treatment and ongoing care for patients across Inverclyde and the surrounding area.
Susan Groom, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde director of regional services, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Stuart, Fiona and everyone involved in Big Stuart’s Squad for this fantastic fundraising effort.
“Raising nearly £5,000 through the Kiltwalk is a tremendous achievement and reflects the strong relationships that develop between patients, families and our unit staff. Their generosity will make a real difference and is greatly appreciated by everyone in the unit.
“On behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, I would like to thank the family for their support and for recognising the dedication of colleagues who work hard every day to provide high-quality care for our patients.”
