Glasgow grandad hands out Valentine's roses to patients at Beatson Cancer Charity

Kevin Lally hopes it will help to put a smile on the faces of those receiving cancer treatment

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 14th Feb 2024

The Beatson Cancer Charity is filled with red roses this Valentine's Day, after a grandfather decided to try and put a smile on the faces of people going through treatment.

Kevin Lally, 60, handed out around 200 roses at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre to patients this morning and has done since around 2018.

The tradition stemmed from his own battle with prostate cancer, where he said he saw lots of sad and worried faces around treatment centres.

'I love doing it'

He told Clyde 1 News: "A nurse was just talking to me at the door, she told me she'd never seen anything like the smiles on people's faces on the wards and throughout the clinics.

"She's happy, people are happy, I'm happy...what's not to like.

"There's been absolute delight, we've had a couple of ladies crying all from this small gesture.

"When they leave, the cancer will come back into their heads again but if it can make them happy for five or ten minutes, I love doing it."

'It has made my day'

Kevin hopes the act will also raise awareness for cancer, and how important it is to get checked out if you have any concerns.

After receiving "amazing" support from the Beatson Cancer Charity, he explained it was the perfect venue for him to hand out the roses.

Barbara was among the patients going through treatment to receive a flower, she said: "It's put a smile on my face, it has made my day.

"Once you get it you're thinking how chuffed you are with that.

"It's nice for somebody to be nice."

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