Johnstone woman Lisa Harkins is participating in the Glasgow Kiltwalk this weekend in memory of her father-in-law Robert Bright.
The 32-year-old lost Robert to a heart attack in February at the age of just 65.
In the aftermath the family reached out to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and as a result, Lisa will now raise money for Scotland’s largest health charity this weekend.
Lisa said: “We lost Robert totally out of the blue to a massive heart attack. He was 65 and due to retire this May, and essentially become my full-time nanny to our children Oliver, who is 16-weeks-old and Daniel who is five.
“Robert loved thistles. He had them tattooed on him and after he passed a family member reached out to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland as the logo includes a thisle and were looking for pin badges.
“It was more for the boys and closer family so we could always carry something around that reminded us of Robert. Daniel was Robert’s best mate in the whole world so it was very hard for him.
“When we reached out to CHSS, we were given us pin badges, keyrings and donations boxes which we used to raise £500 at his funeral.”
Daniel still proudly wears his pin badge and has his keychain on his schoolbag to honour the man he called Pops.
Photo: Robert, 65 died of a heart attack back in February. He is in the photograph holding his grandson Oliver.
Photo Credit: Lisa Harkins / Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Lisa added: “We’ve still not processed what happened.
“We just needed something that offered us a bit of comfort. I know it might sound silly to people but those wee pins keep us close to Robert and if it wasn’t for CHSS we wouldn’t have that.
“After that I wanted to do the Kiltwalk for CHSS. The charity gave to us, so I wanted to give back to them and I know Robert would’ve been the same. I thought it was the right thing to do.
“When Robert passed Oliver turned 10 weeks old. Daniel always called him Pops that was his best friend. Robert will always live within Daniel. He can tell Oliver who his Pops was and he can tell him through the badge.”
Aimee Russell, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Community Events and Corporate Fundraiser, said: “We wish Lisa the very best this weekend for what will be a worthwhile challenge and it’s a really lovely gesture.
“We are grateful to Lisa for choosing to fundraise for CHSS. Funds raised will help CHSS support the one in five people in Scotland who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live life to the full.”
To donate to Lisa’s fundraiser please go to www.justgiving.com/page/l-harkins-1.
Find out more about fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.
Headline photo: Robert with grandson Daniel
Photo Credit: Lisa Harkins / Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
