28 Sep 2026
Determined to show support for his wife and the charity that has been a ‘lifeline’ for his family, Silverburn security mall manager, Calum Fraser cycled 1,650 miles, the equivalent distance between Glasgow and Ibiza, raising £7013.76 for the Beatson Cancer Charity.
Calum, 50, from Newton Mearns, took on the challenge with his family, friends and colleagues using static bikes in Silverburn, after his wife Cherlyn, 54, was diagnosed with incurable, widespread cancer earlier this year.
Calum has worked at Silverburn for eight years, managing the day-to-day running of the mall’s security team and looking after guest safety. Calum and Cherlyn have been together for 33 years and married for 24 years.
He said: “Ibiza is a really special place for our family, we’ve spent most of our summers there and have amazing memories with our kids, which is why I chose that as the distance for the challenge.”
The challenge idea took shape after Calum’s daughter Murren, 27, signed up for the upcoming Great Scottish Run in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
“I wanted to do something different to my daughter’s run, and I’m an amateur cyclist so I thought a bike event would be a proper challenge to do in aid of the Beatson Cancer Charity.”
Training for three months before the event, the distance was tackled as a team effort, taking Calum, and his family and friends, nine hours to cycle a collective 1,650 miles, with Calum covering an impressive 150 miles himself. Cherlyn also took part along with their daughters Murren and Rebecca.
Calum said: “Beatson has been a lifeline for my wife and our family. Their helpline has been a great support to us, you can call it for absolutely anything, whether Cherlyn’s not feeling well or doesn’t understand a side effect of her treatment. Every time I’ve phoned, they’ve offered reassuring advice. They’ve been brilliant at involving me in her treatment journey too, keeping me informed and answering questions, and letting me be right by her side through it all.
“One thing that really struck me on the day of the challenge was how many people Beatson helps, and how many families are affected by cancer. People were sharing their own stories; it was emotional to see a community come together like that. We were completely blown away.” <>Beatson Cancer Charity, Silverburn and its retailers rallied to show support of the event, with PureGym Silverburn supplying the static bikes and the centre’s security team providing volunteers to make the event happen safely.
Calum said: “Silverburn were brilliant, offering the use of the space, supporting with the logistics and making a generous donation to the cause. That support made an immense difference. The atmosphere on the day was amazing.”
Evonne Flisch, Community and Challenges Fundraiser, at Beatson Cancer Charity said: “We’re hugely grateful to Calum, Cherlyn and everyone who took part in this challenge which raised an incredible £7,013.76 for Beatson Cancer Charity. It was a fantastic day, with everyone pitching in and cycling as many miles as possible – all in support of cancer patients and their families. It was incredible to see and be part of, watching the miles creep up towards the target, and receiving such generous donations from Silverburn guests.
“We’d also like to thank Silverburn, PureGym and everyone who helped make the event possible. Every donation will help us continue providing care, love, and hope to people affected by cancer across Scotland.”
Diarmuid Donohoe, General Manager at Silverburn, said: “Calum is a highly valued colleague in our team, and his dedication to this challenge, on top of everything he and his family are dealing with, says a great deal about him. It was touching to see our community and colleagues come together for a cause that does such meaningful work to support people in Scotland living with cancer and their families.”
The Beatson Cancer Chairty’s West of Scotland Cancer Centre is the largest cancer centre in Scotland and the leading centre for non-surgical cancer care in the West of Scotland. Its site in Gartnavel Hospital Campus provides world-class service to cancer patients with facilities including overnight accommodation for families, a dedicated bespoke teenage cancer ward, a specialist cancer pharmacy, clinical trials and research units and a hairdresser and wig service.
Pictured: Evonne Flisch, Beatson Cancer Charity, Diarmuid Donohoe, general manager of Silverburn, Cherlyn Fraser and Calum Fraser.
