Inspirational woman with advanced breast cancer taking on Kiltwalk
The 60-year-old is one of around 66 people who are doing so to raise money for Renfrewshire cancer charity Rays of Hope and their new extension.
She is also one of several members of the Neilston Well Walks group who are stepping up for the cause.
Belinda, second from left, with members of the Neilston Well Walks group (Image: Sourced) Belinda, who lives in Paisley and recently completed a 19-mile walk with the Well Walks group in preparation, said: 'This is my passion and I'm going for it.
'I've got to keep my hands open so I won't get too disappointed on the day if I can't complete the whole thing but that is the plan.
'The incredible thing is that you are not alone and there is a team and first aiders who can step in if I need it.
'I am very determined to keep going. I really want to complete it and it would be good for my mental health to do so.'
Belinda, second from left, with Rays of Hope founder Linda O'Malley, far right, Rays of Hope wellbeing and fitness coordinator Jennifer Muirhead and volunteer Liz Cowie (Image: Sourced) Belinda, who received her diagnosis in March, previously battled breast cancer in 2016 before suffering a mini stroke in 2019 and a larger stroke in 2022 which affected her cognitive processes and short-term memory.
When she was diagnosed with cancer the first time, Belinda, whose background is in holistic therapy, began volunteering with Rays of Hope.
The charity, which is based in Elderslie, provides peer support to those diagnosed with cancer and offers services geared at improving quality of life such as exercise sessions, a walking group, choir, writing group and Spanish classes.
The extension has been underway for a year (Image: Sourced) The charity started work on their extension a year ago and the build will provide much needed extra space to help them cope with how busy they have become.
It will feature a reception area, two offices, a quiet room, a shower room and a spa room.
Notably it will give them the space to provide a new programme to help people get fit and mentally prepare for surgery and help them get back to fitness after the fact.
'We probably need another £100,000 to get it completed,' explained Linda O'Malley the founder of the charity, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary later this year and supports more than 100 people every week.
'There has already been that and more spent on it, but we are really pleased with it and grateful for all of the donations people have given us, plus all the fundraising that has been done.'
Belinda, second from left, with Rays of Hope founder Linda O'Malley, far right, Rays of Hope wellbeing and fitness coordinator Jennifer Muirhead and volunteer Liz Cowie (Image: Sourced) Linda also expressed her gratitude to those doing the Kiltwalk in aid of the extension and praised kind-hearted Belinda for her efforts.
'As much as we have helped Belinda, she has helped a lot of people coming in,' she added.
'She's a very kind, generous person in that way.
"She will give up so much of her time to help others and be with others.'
Last autumn, Belinda joined Neilston Well Walks, which is led by Kiltwalk veteran Anwar Rafiq, who has described her as a 'total inspiration'.
Fresh air, exercise and being part of a group who know her and make her feel safe has benefited her enormously.
'I've become calmer being outside,' she explained.
'The fresh air and getting to know people who really respect one another - I couldn't be in a better place getting fitter.
'Mentally I would have given up by now, but now I'm going to keep going."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
an hour ago
- Edinburgh Live
'Our mum had life-changing emergency while on holiday - we just need her home'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Irish family are making a desperate plea for assistance after their mum suffered a life-altering medical crisis while holidaying in Spain. Carol Callaghan, 58, from Charleville, Co. Cork, was on a shopping spree with friends in Alicante when she suddenly collapsed due to a cardiac arrest. She was immediately rushed to hospital, where doctors gave her distraught family the grim news that she might not pull through. After spending a week in a coma, Carol miraculously survived, despite warnings issued to British tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain. However, while she is still in intensive care, Spanish doctors have informed her family that they've done all they can and that her only hope of recovery lies in specialist rehabilitation back in Ireland. Her son Jack spoke about the horrifying ordeal on a local radio station, stating: "She still has a tracheostomy in, so she would need intensive care support for the flight home. Once it's removed, she'll need intensive rehab. Time is of the essence.", reports the Mirror. The family have set up an urgent GoFundMe appeal after her insurance company declined to cover the cost of an air ambulance and medical team to bring her back to Ireland, according to RSVP Live. So far, more than €58,000 has been raised, but the costs are expected to be significantly higher. Jack described his mum as "having the biggest heart", before adding: "We just need her home. The sooner she starts rehab, the better chance she has of making a full recovery." On their fundraising page, the family explained: "Carol's injuries mean she requires long-term rehabilitation and specialist care. Unfortunately, her travel insurance has refused to cover the cost of getting her home to Ireland. We're reaching out for help. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly towards her medical flight and ongoing care." Carol's relatives are now confronting a worrying battle against the clock to gather sufficient funds to transport her back home. You can donate to the fundraiser here.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Pharmacist's verdict on whether ice cold or room temperature water is best in heatwave
Staying hydrated during the fourth heatwave of 2025 is imperative – and a pharmacist has cleared up if it's better to drink cold or room temperature beverages when it's hot During spells of hot weather, it's so tempting to reach for a tall glass of iced water. But according to one health expert, this could actually end up making you feel even hotter. With the UK basking in another hot snap, heeding this pharmacist's advice could be an absolute game-changer. This sunny period will constitute the fourth heatwave of the summer so far. An official heatwave is declared when temperatures rise above the heatwave threshold for three consecutive days. That threshold varies from 25C to 28C across the country. So with that being said, it's important to stay hydrated with plenty of water. And apparently, room temperature is best. A Spanish pharmacist told his 3.7million followers: 'What is better when it is too hot? To drink cold or room-temperature water? Psychologically, it may seem that cold water refreshes you more, but it's not true. 'Because it is colder, it makes your body work more to regulate the temperature, and the body generates heat, so room-temperature water might be better. 'There are even African countries where people drink hot liquids in the summer, and say that it helps to sweat, and sweat helps to cool off, but I think that is a cultural issue that we will never accept here. Imagine how little you feel like drinking tea in the middle of a desert!' While hot water may not feel like the most appealing idea when it's scorching hot outside, opting for room temperature water could make all the difference. Room temperature water is closer to your body's natural temperature, so your body doesn't need to expend extra energy to warm it up or cool it down. This allows for quicker hydration. What's more, it helps to maintain your core body temperature, allowing your body's natural cooling process (sweating) to work efficiently. Cold water can sometimes trick your body into thinking it's cooler than it is, which may reduce sweating and slow down cooling. Some also believe that drinking room temperature drinks is much easier than sipping on ice cold water. For one, it doesn't give you a brain freeze! For that reason, you're actually more likely to glug the whole glass down rather than taking smaller sips. What does the NHS say about drinking water? The NHS advises: 'Most people should aim to drink enough during the day so their pee is a clear pale yellow colour. 'The Eatwell Guide recommends that people should aim to drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count. 'You may need to drink more fluids if you're: "pregnant or breastfeeding "in a hot environment "physically active for long periods "ill or recovering from illness.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Dramatic moment Ryanair pilot 'fainted' mid-air while flying plane to Portugal
The aviator lost consciousness while in the cockpit of the budget airline's service from Barcelona to Porto, a source from the National Institute of Medical Emergencies said A pilot fainted while flying a Ryanair plane on Sunday, according to reports. The aviator lost consciousness while in the cockpit of the budget airline's service from Barcelona to Porto, a source from the National Institute of Medical Emergencies told Portugal Resident. At 8:19 a.m. on Sunday, August 10, the pilot suffered 'a rapidly recovering syncope' and 'apparently recovered during the flight," the publication reported. The pilot came back to consciousness and the plane continued its journey from Barcelona's El Prat Airport to Porto's Francisco Sá Carneiro. The plane landed normally, an official source from Portugal's EKAB told the Portuguese agency Lusa. News of the incident comes at the end of a week in which baggage handlers who work on Ryanair services announced they're going on strike. Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you. Please email webtravel@ An ambulance from the Moreira da Maia Fire Department and a medical vehicle, emergency vehicle (VMER) from the Pedro Hispano Hospital went to Sá Carneiro Airport to meet the plane. "The pilot received assistance on the spot, but refused to go to the hospital and stayed at the airport," the National Institute of Medical Emergencies said, according to Portugal Resident. Despite the medical incident, flight data show that the only Ryanair flight that arrived this Sunday morning at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport from Barcelona (Spain) was flight FR 4587, which arrived at 8:35 a.m. at Terminal 1, as it had been scheduled to do. The Mirror put the claims to Ryanair's press office. A spokesperson for the airline said: 'Ryanair has procedures and training in place to deal with situations where a pilot becomes unwell in flight. This flight from Barcelona to Porto (10 Aug), landed safely at Porto Airport.' Holidaymakers going to Spain this month are facing a fresh blow as new strikes have been announced affecting major airports and airlines across parts of the country. The UGT union previously stated there will be a series of strikes affecting Ryanair's baggage handling department. These are set to start on August 15. However, there is now increased potential for delays and flight cancellations after 1,500 workers with a second firm, Menzies, said it would hold its own industrial action, which will also start in August. Menzies services a number of major airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Wizz Air, American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Norwegian. The UGT union said the strike by ground staff of the Menzies group will affect five Spanish airports, including Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Palma, Malaga and Tenerife South, on August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.
