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Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow dad running West Highland Way in memory of son
The 38-year-old dad originally from Yoker will run the West Highland Way nonstop in memory of his stillborn son Marco, who would have been 10 this year. He's competing in the West Highland Way Race, one of the world's longest-established ultra-marathons, first held in 1985. It'll see him battle rough terrain and rise over 14,000 feet as he attempts to run the long-distance trail between Milngavie (just north of Glasgow) and Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. Mark will set off at 1am this Saturday, June 21, alongside 300 other rave ultra runners. Mark says he'll crawl across the line if he has to (Image: Gordon Terris) READ MORE: 8 of the best decorated cabs at Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund day out to Troon Mark is running the race to raise money for The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (Sands), a cause close to his heart. He said: "Unfortunately, 10 years ago, we lost our first son Marco. "On his due date, so full term, and Sands are such a great charity. "I'm trying to spread awareness of what they do, which is the reason behind everything I've been doing. "Over the last 10 years, I've just passed the £25,000 mark raised for Sands and Marco's memory." His previous challenges include running three laps of a Tough Mudder course, so he's no stranger to pushing himself. Mark, who now lives in Kelvindale, last attempted the route solo in 2023, but had to stop at the 71-mile mark due to an injury. He explained: "In 2023, I attempted the West Highland Way solo. "I sprained my ankle 67 miles in and had to hobble 71 miles to get collected. "I'd raised some more money for charity, just over £10,000 I raised that time." "That put me at a really low point because obviously I'd failed in my challenge. "But everybody reminded me, 'Well, you've not failed because your ultimate goal was to spread awareness and raise money for a charity, which you did.' "When I get to Glen Coe and leave Glen Coe, that'll be me going into uncharted territory because that's 71 miles in. "That's the furthest I've ever been before on a single run. "I think then I'll start believing at that point that it's there, the finish line's there. "I'm just looking forward to seeing the family at the end. That's what it's going to be all about." READ MORE: 'Goodbye for now': Popular West End pub announces temporary closure Mark hopes to cross the finish line in a time of around 25 hours, with a cut off on the race of 35 hours, to which he told me with a determined stare, "If I need to crawl to the finishing line, I'll be making it to the finish line. His family has been heavily involved in his training. He's been running with his sons Tino, Vito, Enzo, and Remo, and has had support from his wife Lisa. Mark said: "It's a point to prove, my family's invested a lot of time into this. "A training week for me is maybe 10 to 15 hours worth of actual running time. "I want to prove to everybody that I can manage this and repay people's generosity." (Image: Gordon Terris) READ MORE: 'Glasgow deserves better': Heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans Mark's focus, in addition to raising money for the charity, is to spread awareness and encourage people to open up about the 'taboo' subject. He said: "I've spoken to a lot of people over the years, and you often run into this kind of thing in everyday conversations – someone says, 'Oh, how many kids have you got?' and I'll say, 'I've got five boys – one of them passed away.' It can become quite a conversation killer." "People don't know what to say to other people when it's happened to them. Even when it happened to us. When we lost Marco, nobody knew what to say... "The one thing I wanted to know was that people are there, talking about it and saying my son's name. "People who have lost a child need to know they've still had a child, they're still a mom, they're still a dad. And that's really one of the focuses of my story and my mission." READ MORE: Council speaks out over primary school's union flag letter Mark will have a support crew of family and friends, and his 'partner in crime', best friend Ryan, will join him for some miles later in the race as a boost. Mark's employer, Brikability, is matching donations up to £3,000, which will massively boost his fundraising efforts. Most of the funding to the charity will go towards supporting parents and counselling groups, as well as memory boxes for families who have lost their baby. You can read more about Mark's efforts and donate at
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
State Hospital to develop new national service for women
The dedicated women's service will be able to care for up to six women. This development means women can now be treated in Scotland rather than being placed at Rampton Hospital in England, providing care closer to families and communities. The service will be developed in two phases, with phase one set to be completed in July. Read more: Plans for 'much-needed' new development in busy area approved 8 of the best decorated cabs at Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund day out to Troon Busy railway line 'blocked' amid ongoing emergency incident This phase will see the implementation of an interim women's service model and an outreach service model. Phase two will involve the planning of a medium-long term service model over the coming years, which will eventually combine with phase one. The women's service will include modern accommodation, treatment spaces, and recreational areas designed to promote wellbeing, rehabilitation, and recovery while maintaining necessary levels of safety and security. Professor Lindsay Thomson, medical director, said: "The reopening of a dedicated women's service in Scotland is a landmark moment for forensic mental healthcare in Scotland. "It has been developed through close collaboration with patients, staff, and external partners to ensure the care environment is therapeutic, respectful, and responsive to the complex needs of females. "It is an interim step as we work towards the development of a fully therapeutic service, that will offer long-term, sustainable support for women in high secure settings. "I want to thank everyone involved in contributing to the design and delivery of this new facility." The development is in line with recommendations from 'The Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services in Scotland' published in 2021, and 'The Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan 2023/25' published in November 2023. Tom Arthur, Mental Wellbeing Minister, said: "The opening of this facility follows recommendations from the Independent Forensic Mental Health Review and represents an important part of the national strategy to improve mental health services across Scotland. "It reflects Scotland's commitment to developing specialist mental health services which are both person-centred and trauma informed. "Importantly, by ensuring that women receive the right care in the right setting, the service supports public safety and offers reassurance to victims and their families that appropriate, secure treatment is in place. "It also ensures they do not lose their entitlements under the Victim Notification Scheme when a patient is transferred out of Scotland.'
STV News
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Hundreds of children enjoy day at the seaside in 78th annual taxi outing
Hundreds of children with additional support needs have enjoyed a day at the seaside as part of the 78th annual Glasgow Taxi Outing. Met by drivers dressed as cartoon characters like Peppa Pig and Mickey Mouse, the youngsters set off from Glasgow for the seaside in taxi cabs decked out with balloons and bright colours. This year, around 350 children and volunteers were taken to Troon for the day. Stephen Lalley, from Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund, said: 'Additional support for learning is the schools that we take to Troon, and it's just about giving them a day out because we have the taxis, we've got the transport for them. STV News Children and volunteers were taken to the seaside in taxis decorated in bright colours and drivers dressed as famous characters such as Peppa Pig. STV News 'A lot of them are in wheelchairs, so they may not have the facility to actually get themselves to the beach. So we've got the transport and that's why we take them to Troon,' he told STV News. One parent, whose daughter attends Gowanbank Primary School, said: 'It's good to get her here every year, and to show what the taxis can do for the community.' STV News Drivers dressed as favourite characters to take part in the famous Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund. STV News 'She enjoys it, she was here last year as well and loved doing all the activities.' Another parent, who was at the event with her son for the first time, said driving in the taxi convoy in Glasgow was a 'nice memorable moment'. 'He enjoyed it, it's nice that the town came out as well, it's just a really good day.' STV News Drivers decorated their taxis for the parade. STV News Nick Power, of Troon Community Council, said the event means a lot to the people of Troon too. 'We like to bring out the town, it brings the town together. We want to make the event bigger and better every year,' he said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
