A call has gone out to Forth Valley College staff and students to take part in a fundraising walk, to pay tribute to the brave son of a FVC staff member and the remarkable Schiehallion cancer ward where he is being treated.
The Helix Park and the Kelpies will be the backdrop for the 1.6mile (2.6km) walk on Thursday 8 September between 12.30pm-13.30pm – where staff and students will be invited to complete the loop anytime during their lunch break, to show their support for Zak Stark’s son Daniel and the fantastic care and treatment he has received since his diagnosis back in April this year.
The walk also serves as another in a series of events to help improve health and wellbeing and staff and students at the Stirling and Alloa Campuses are also asked to show their support for the cause, by making a loop or two of their campuses, if they can’t make it to the Helix Park.
A JustGiving page has been set up to also raise as much cash for the charity as possible during the tribute walk and more details can be found here: zachary stark is fundraising for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity (justgiving.com)
When Zak’s colleagues in Forth Valley College’s Commercial and Training Delivery and Business Development Departments learned of Daniel’s cancer diagnosis, they rallied round to help by raising £1,120… then the brave and generous lad did the same to help his fellow patients!
Daniel (13), Zak’s middle son, who was diagnosed with Lymphoma and has been undergoing chemotherapy at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children’s Schiehallion Ward - 2A in Glasgow, had some other ideas for the cash and was determined that it would not just be himself who would benefit from the excellent gesture from his dad’s work colleagues.
Daniel said that he would really like teenagers in his ward to also benefit from the kindness of the FVC team and with in a very generous and selfless gesture, asked for £560 of the money to be donated to the Teenage Cancer Care Unit Fund at the hospital.
Zak, who lives in Menstrie and is FVC’s Head of Commercial and Training said: “We are so grateful for the messages of support and kindness from colleagues across Forth Valley College. The Apprenticeships, Skills and Commercial team very generously raised money when Daniel was diagnosed, allowing a donation to be made to The Teenage Cancer Trust. This is being used to provide additional activities to support teenagers undergoing and recovering from cancer treatment.
“When colleagues across the college decided to organise this event we were so touched. Daniel is due to undergo what we are hoping is his final week of chemotherapy next week and again is blown away by this kind gesture. Any money raised will be donated to the Schiehallion ward at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, where Daniel is being treated. This will be put towards providing additional toys and games to keep the kids entertained throughout their hospital stays. We are all so lucky to have fantastic walks close by all our Campuses and I’m sure everyone participating will enjoy the opportunity to get out and enjoy the fresh air and cracking scenery.
“I am so lucky to work with such an excellent bunch of people, who always go above and beyond to support each other, students and external partners. Words can’t express how grateful we are of the support everyone at Forth Valley College has provided throughout Daniel’s treatment.”
The route of the map around the Helix can be seen on the carousel of the web story and will most likely take up to 40mins to complete, depending on the walking speed. The safest way to access the Helix Park is by using the pelican crossing. Alternative shorter walks can be done with lap(s) of the Falkirk Campus building - approx. 700m – this might be useful for anyone with mobility issues or needing to be close to the building.
Charity donation buckets will be available at the campus reception area and also somewhere out on the route, likely to be around the entrance to the Helix Park – hopefully this may attract members of public to donate too.
FVC’s Active Travel Officer, Craig Coull said: "Not only is this an opportunity to show support for a great cause, but it also encourages staff to get active on their lunch break! I hope this fundraising walk can motivate staff and students to get out and enjoy a walk round the Helix, while raising significant funds for the Schiehallion Ward at Glasgow Children's Hospital."
Craig is keen to remind staff that this is an optional event to complete on their lunchbreak. Please be aware that anyone taking part do so at their own risk and that you accept responsibility to ensure you are healthy, fit and able to walk the distance.
Anyone who needs additional information should contact FVC’s Active Travel Officer Craig Coull on craig.coull@forthvalley.ac.uk .
