By Mikaela Skea
A DEDICATED fundraiser is stopping in Glasgow today on his 1,500 mile quest to raise money for Cancer Research.
Matt Wallace set off on his six-month trip at the end of September, intending to walk the length of the UK from John O’Groats to Land’s End with visits to 15 Cancer Research UK centres along the way.
The fundraising adventure, which Matt has called ‘Where’s Wallace?’ has already raised almost £4,000 – a target which Matt describes as “jaw-dropping”.
He added: “You’ll notice on my page that I have no target amount, and that’s because we do believe the sky is the limit.
“I’m also saying ‘we’ because it really is a joint effort – there’s a network of people behind me who have helped set up the website, offered me places to stay and, of course, made donations.”
Ms Kirsteen Campbell, Local Engagement & Development Manager at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in Glasgow, is delighted by Matt’s fundraising efforts.
Ms Campbell said: “Our profile here in Glasgow has been tremendous on the back of Matt’s visit – we’re all delighted.
“This will all go a long way to inspire other people to raise money for Cancer Research UK, which is really important.”
Inspired
She added: “This is the second centre Matt has visited and already people are welcoming him everywhere he’s been. People have been chasing him along the street with offers of places to stay, food, even more donations! The reception has been fantastic.”
Matt was inspired to raise money for the charity when a very close family friend died from cancer in 2008.
During his visit to Glasgow, Matt will visit several campuses which make up the Cancer Research UK West of Scotland Cancer Centre. During the visits interviews will be filmed with scientists and nurses as part of a series of videos he is making to showcase the cutting edge research that takes place across the city.
Matt added: “The charity relies on people from every corner of the UK to help them raise money as it doesn’t receive a penny from the government.
“I want to do my bit to help inspire others to give and raise money for Cancer Research UK. I also want to raise as much money as I can while helping people to understand some of the amazing science Cancer Research UK uses that money to fund.”
