STAFF at a Clydebank primary school will walk from the town to Balloch at the weekend in aid of children facing terminal cancer diagnoses.

Members of the team at St Eunan’s PS will join trustees and supporters of childhood cancer charity Caleb’s Trio of Hope (CTH) on Sunday as they take on the Big Stroll (14 miles) at the Glasgow Kiltwalk.

It is a cause close to the heart of the Gilmour Street school as Caleb Stirrat, whom the charity is named after, is a pupil there alongside his triplet sisters Poppy and Alyssia.

Clydebank Post: Karen Stirrat with her children Caleb, Poppy, and Alyssia Karen Stirrat with her children Caleb, Poppy, and Alyssia (Image: Newsquest staff)CTH was set up by Caleb’s family in 2022 a couple of years after the Parkhall youngster was diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid in 2019.

It is hoped that this event will help raise funds to support the charity in providing both financial and emotional assistance to families of children receiving palliative cancer care.

Karen Stirrat, Caleb’s mum, told the Post that as CTH is a self-funded group, events like the Kiltwalk are hugely important in allowing them to continue doing what they do.

The 39-year-old said: “This is our second Kiltwalk for the charity. Last year I did the Wee Wander with the kids but this year we decided to scale it up a bit so we’re doing the Big Stroll from Clydebank to Balloch.

“The kids aren’t doing it as they’re too small so they’ll be supporting us from the sidelines. We have almost doubled our numbers this year in terms of the group and some oncology families are getting involved too.

“Our charity is self-funded and we haven’t received any government funding. So it’s important to take part in this event as all the money raised will go towards supporting children and their families.

“We’ve had an influx of families recently needing our help through cancer diagnoses. Last week we gave grants for food shops, transport to and from the hospital, and creating memories so all these things are desperately needed.

“Without the help of volunteers and members of the public, we wouldn’t be able to do this and help these families who need it the most.”

Karen explained that her family’s experiences have allowed her to gain a better understanding of where support is needed most.

The mum-of-three says she has received “good, positive feedback” from families and friends of people CTH has supported.

Joining her on Saturday is Lisa Gallagher, whose seven-year-old son is currently going through treatment for Leukaemia.

Lisa said: “I met Karen through another charity and we became close friends. Around a year later Karen started her own charity and I like to support her.

“When I tell people about CTH the thing I always say is ‘we’re lucky it’s not something that we need’ but there are loads of people that we’ve met through the hospital that do.

“It’s [cancer] one of the most devastatingly stressful times of your life and I couldn’t even imagine being in palliative care.

“You need the support, you just need it. It’s not only your kids but you’re going through so much as well and just knowing that you have the support of other people out there makes a world of difference.

“My 16-year-old son is doing the Kiltwalk along with me, we will be supporting each other.”

A Just Giving page has been set up ahead of Sunday’s event. It is currently sitting at around £2000.

To view it visit HERE.