About Us

Ian Dickson was born in Glasgow in 1950. He was educated at Hillhead High School and at Strathclyde University, where he graduated (LLB) in 1971. Ian, a corporate lawyer, is head of MacRoberts Corporate Group and the Firm's Chairman.

Ian was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1988 and, after surgery, attended the Beatson for radiotherapy, five days each week for a month. Through all of this, Ian was aware, firstly, of the high standard of care and attention which the Beatson gave and, secondly, that he really was one of the fortunate ones and that the vast majority of the other patients he saw and talked to in the Beatson were a lot worse off than he was. He was keen to give something back and became actively involved in another cancer charity, Tak Tent, - initially its fundraising arm and then also in its management. It was through Tak Tent that Ian met Alan (Kilpatrick) who had also had testicular cancer.

In 1994 Ian and Alan, and a small group of other patients, got together - with the encouragement of the Beatson - to discuss how they might best help the Beatson. It was decided that what really needed attention was not strictly the clinical side - that was already of a very high standard - but, more, things that could make the life of patients at the Beatson just a bit better, a bit more tolerable and a bit more comfortable. Ian and Alan translated that into the objectives of the charity which was formed in January 1995 as "the provision of practical comfort and support for Beatson Patients".

As a director of Friends of the Beatson, Ian is one of a small, committed, hands-on team of four. He is also a Governor of the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research and a Director of Scottish Ensemble.

Alan was born in Glasgow and grew up in Lenzie before going to Glasgow University then CA training at Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP). He qualified as a CA in 1988, spent 1991 in C&L Sydney then left in 1996 to join Devro. Alan is now 43 and Managing Director of Devro (Scotland) Limited.

Having had treatment for cancer (surgery and chemotherapy) in 1985 aged 19, Alan became involved in cancer charity work shortly thereafter (initially as Treasurer for Tak Tent) just to "put something back".

Ian Dickson (with whom he had worked within Tak Tent) was approached in 1994 by one on the senior consultants (Martin Russell) to ask whether he was interested in setting up a group to form a "Friends of" type charity. Ian asked Alan if he would be interested in setting it up with him. They agreed that "practical comfort and support for patients" would be the goal to ensure additionality - e.g. rather than to risk merely replacing existing public sector funding.

Alan's time is taken up by his family and career as well as his involvement in Friends of the Beatson.

Born and raised in Prestwick, Elizabeth was educated there and then went onto Edinburgh University to study law. Elizabeth, now 53, is a Director at Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking and her role involves floating companies on the stockmarket, share issues, takeovers, acquisitions and mergers.

Elizabeth has become an integral part of the FOB board, particularly with fundraising for the new Centre. Elizabeth's father died of cancer and her mother's life was very badly affected by the cancer she first had at the age of 19. This encouraged Elizabeth to join the Friends of the Beatson in 2000, as she felt she could contribute to a charity working for cancer patients. One of her milestones in life was to walk to Everest Base Camp in aid of Friends of the Beatson.

Gordon was born in Glasgow and brought up in Bearsden. He trained as a CA with Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) and progressed through the firm to partnership. Apart from some overseas secondments the major part of his career was spent in Glasgow.

Aged 59 and now retired, Gordon splits his time between Friends of the Beatson and some other interests. He has been involved with Friends of the Beatson since 2003. As well as being actively involved in the organisation of the annual Sporting Dinners and general administration of the charity, Gordon was heavily involved in all aspects of the planning process for the new Friends of the Beatson Centre. Following its opening, he is responsible to the board for the running of the Centre.

I feel privileged to take responsibility for the Friends of the Beatson team, who are absolutely fantastic, and the services and facilities we provide, which are also fantastic. I am responsible for ensuring the smooth and effective running of the Centre, establishing an atmosphere which is safe and secure and offering patients a relaxing haven away from the wards.

I love the fact that my day consists of doing something so worthwhile. I love the simple ethics of the Friends of the Beatson - we just want to help every person who has to stay in the Beatson to feel better. I love trying to encourage people from all walks of life to come in and experience our services. Most of all I love seeing the difference we can make to individuals using the Centre - sometimes all it takes is someone spending a little time with them, listening and caring.

I have family and friends in England and Wales and like to visit them as often as possible. I enjoy walking my Lakeland Terrier, Ollie and trying to train him! I also enjoy decorating my home, renovating unloved furniture, cooking and needlework when I'm in the mood.

I am one of the Centre assistants.An important part of my role is to provide a friendly listening ear and to ensure that patients are relaxed and comfortable. I also deal with day to day administration and am responsible for ensuring that the Centre kitchen is always well stocked.

I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds. The Friends of the Beatson Centre makes a very positive impact on the lives of patients during an enormously stressful time and I feel privileged to be a part of our wonderful team.To see our patients visibly relax and enjoy using our fantastic facilities makes my role a pleasure to fulfil.

My main interest is music and I will listen to anything but particularly enjoy all the old guitar heroes like Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and Ry Cooder. I go to as many concerts as I can and like "discovering" new bands.

I am one of the Centre assistants and have worked here since 2007. My responsibilities include meeting and greeting the patients who visit us, providing them with refreshments of their choice and showing them around our Centre.

My role changes on a daily basis as we are always meeting new people which I enjoy. Making patients feel welcome means a lot to me as sometimes they can be apprehensive about coming to us and it's lovely to see them feeling relaxed in a friendly environment and, as a lot of patients say, "just to feel normal again" without being in a clinical environment.

My interests are my family of which there are many members and we socialise together regularly as I enjoy cooking,which is a great passion, for them. My main hobby is going to bingo on a Saturday which I absolutely love.

I provide reflexology, Indian head massage, reiki and hypnotherapy in the Centre and on the wards. I also provide chiropody services on the wards.

I enjoy making a difference and get huge satisfaction from helping people to feel better, whether it is physically or emotionally. I believe that I have a very rewarding job and that I am very lucky to work in such beautiful surroundings.

In my spare time I love reading, line dancing, zumba and going to the theatre.

I am a complementary therapist and carry out various types of massage and reflexology with the patients, both in the Centre and on the wards.

I really enjoy my role ,meeting a wide variety of people and helping them by providing some relaxation and pampering as well as the therapeutic value of the therapies.

I enjoy keeping fit by walking and swimming. I also enjoy watching movies and listening to music. I have recently started learning to cook which has been fun with mixed results.

I am a volunteer Centre assistant and work two days per week. The role is varied but includes welcoming patients, showing them round, explaining all we have to offer and encouraging them to make full use of the Centre and the many lovely therapies.

Having previously trained and worked as a nurse I was delighted when this opportunity came along. Working in the lovely surroundings of the Centre and being part of a team able to offer some help and support to people at such a difficult time in their lives is something I very much enjoy.

Away from work my interests are family, cooking, gardening, walking and the theatre.

I have been a therapist in the Centre since it opened , providing relaxation and support to patients through massage and reiki treatments and tailoring each treatment to the needs and condition of the patient.

For me the most enjoyable part of my role is sharing patient stories, hearing about their lives and also seeing the visible difference in people after they receive a therapy session.

My spare time in mainly taken up with attending the gym, yoga and keeping up to date with developments in the field of complementary health. My nieces and nephews also keep me busy and down to earth.

I teach yoga and relaxation techniques in the Centre . I work individually with the patients drawing on a range of techniques to help them relax, deal with stress, reduce anxiety and cope with the effects of their treatment.

I enjoy helping people to feel better. Yoga can be so simple but profound and powerful. Time and again I have witnessed the simple power of the breath to transform and take people from a state of fear to a place of stillness and calm. I feel privileged to be able to share this ancient knowledge and love being part of this unique and special Centre team.

I have a lifelong interest in psychology and spirituality and have a committed personal yoga practice. I love reading and the outdoors and feel most at home at the top of a mountain. Along with my husband I enjoy hill walking, mountain biking , snowboarding and taking my dog for long country walks.

I work as a complementary therapist , mainly focussing my work on the wards,with therapeutic massages and some reflexology and reiki.

I feel very privileged to work as a therapist for Friends of the Beatson. I enjoy meeting patients, getting to know them and providing them with the benefits therapies can bring. I enjoy taking a holistic approach to patient care and supporting not only patients' physical health but also on a mental, emotional and spiritual level.

I spend most of my free time around horses and have the pleasure of owning my own horse, Mulder. I am currently training in Equido Natural Horsemanship and plan to further my therapies to our four legged friends.

I am the beauty therapist in the Centre offering a variety of beauty treatments such as facials, manicures, and pedicures. I also give advice on skin care, diet, exercise and other beauty related subjects.

My role is to give patients my time and undivided attention. The treatment I give not only tackles the obvious issues when patients have clinical treatment such as dry skin, brittle nails but also provides relaxation and companionship.I feel privileged to be part of a team in which you can just be yourself and where everyone genuinely cares for one another regardless of where you come from.

My passions are split between my work, which is also my hobby, and gym classes, swimming, dancing, and music.