COMEDIAN, Fred MacAulay, had the last laugh today as he conquered his fear of heights to launch the Beatson Pebble Appeal’s ‘Zip Slide across the Clyde’.
The funnyman, who suffers from vertigo, officially launched the cancer charity’s fundraising event, which takes place over the River Clyde on 20th June, by whizzing down a children’s zip slide in Glasgow Green’s play park.
Organisers are hoping to raise cash for the £10m Beatson Translational Research Centre (TRC) – the first facility of its kind in Scotland dedicated to turning scientific discoveries into treatments for cancer patients.
Fred, who lives in Glasgow, said: “The Beatson Pebble Appeal is a fantastic campaign as every penny raised will go to an incredible new centre, which will hopefully lead to a cure for cancer.
“I’m hoping to overcome my vertigo by taking part in the zip slide and am encouraging as many of Scotland’s daredevils to pluck up the courage to do something exhilarating for such a fantastic cause.”
The Beatson TRC is the final part of the West of Scotland Comprehensive Cancer Centre, which is being developed jointly by the University of Glasgow, the Beatson Institute, Cancer Research UK and the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board.
It consists of The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, The Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, both at Gartnavel GeneralHospital and the Beatson Institute at Garscube Estate in Bearsden. The Beatson TRC, which is due to be completed in 2011, will also be built at Garscube.
Lindsey McArthur, development officer at the Beatson Pebble Appeal, said:
“We hope that the public will help us take a step towards reaching our financial target by taking part in our Zip Slide across the Clyde. It was great to have Fred’s support today and we hope that if there are people out there, like Fred, who are wary of heights, you’ll conquer your own fears as well as helping such a great cause.
“Please remember that every donation assists our appeal and no matter how small it is, you will really be playing your part in helping the fight against cancer. The name of our Appeal is so significant because like a pebble, every cash donation, no matter how small, will build towards our overall target.”
The scientists housed at the Beatson TRC will focus on all types of cancers that affect all ages. Cancers such as breast, prostate, ovarian, lung, throat, mouth, stomach and intestinal, some of which are the most common in Scotland, will all be studied.
The zip slide will take place between 10am and 4pm, next to the Finnieston Crane. For further information on the event or if you are keen to take part, contact Susanne Hill on s.hill@admin.gla.ac.uk or 0141 330 2132.
For more information on the Appeal, please log on to www.beatsonpebbleappeal.org or call 0141 330 3000.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Gillian Hamilton on 0141 333 9585/07734656676 gillian.hamilton@bigpartnership.co.uk
OR
Kate McCheyne on 0141 333 9585/07766076469 kate.mccheyne@bigpartnership.co.uk
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Contact: Gillian Hamilton / Kate McCheyne
Phone: 0141 333 9585/07734 656676 / 0776 607 6469
Email: gillian.hamilton@bigpartnerhsip.co.uk
