A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl has returned to the hospital where her mother died from cancer to open a new support service for other families battling the disease.
Little Charlotte Selkirk was joined by dad Neil to cut the bright green ribbon for the new Macmillan support hub at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Care Centre on Great Western Road.
Joined by the charity chief executive Lynda Thomas and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde chair John Brown, the Newton Mearns duo honoured Charlotte’s mum Susan, a Macmillan employee, who lost her battle with breast cancer in November 2016, almost two years after her diagnosis.
The 40-year-old had played a part in shaping the facilities which will now be available for those at the centre, such as the garden and family areas where she longed to spend time with her daughter away from her hospital bed.
Neil, who was married to Susan for eight years, told the Evening Times: “Susan loved helping people and she enjoyed working for Macmillan so much and making a positive difference in people’s lives.
“Unfortunately, my family and I, along with so many others, have had experience of having a loved one diagnosed with cancer. This will provide an incredible amount of support for those people.
“She would be really happy and really proud to be part of this.”
Neil brought Charlotte to visit the nurses who cared for Susan in the Beatson just days before the event, which he says she’s thrilled to be a part of.
“It’s kind of strange coming back here,” Neil added, “but the reason we’re here is such a good reason it overtakes all of it.
“She really likes doing this. She loves the fact that mummy is still alive in that sense.”
As revealed in the Evening Times, the £2.2m transformation to the centre’s entrance will provide access to vital service and support, while allowing families to spend more time together away from the ward.
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