AN "inspirational" East Renfrewshire dad has won a posthumous award for his efforts to raise cash for a cancer charity.

Stuart MacDonald was diagnosed with cancer in both of his eyes in 2018 after experiencing blurred vision.

Despite initial treatment, he died in June last year, at the age of 60, after the cancer spread.

During his treatment journey, the popular accountant was an enthusiastic supporter of the fundraising partnership between Cancer Research UK and his employers ScottishPower.

Now he has been posthumously recognised by the charity through its Flame of Hope Awards.

Stuart was named Corporate Charity Fundraiser of the Year at the annual event, which took place in Edinburgh.

His wife Jane and 26-year-old son Ross were there to collect the award.

Jane said: “When Stuart was first diagnosed with lymphoma, it was obviously a huge shock but they treated it initially and he was able to get back to his work, who were extremely supportive.

“He’d seen first-hand the incredible way that Cancer Research UK is dedicated to beating cancer through their research, influence and the information they provide and made it his mission to support them in any way he could."

Stuart, from Newton Mearns, could often be seen in fancy dress, shaking Cancer Research UK collection buckets.

In 2021, he took on his ‘10k in the Sands’ challenge by tackling a 10k beach walk along the Ayrshire coast, coining in more than £2,700.

Last year, he was the face of Cancer Research UK’s World Cancer Day campaign, in which he shared his own story and encouraged people to buy 'unity bands' which help to raise awareness and fund lifesaving research.

Jane added: “If there was a fundraiser, he’d be there, usually in some fancy dress, rallying the troops to raise as much money as possible, and he was always willing to share his own story and lessons learned to raise awareness of the fundraising partnership, despite his own challenges.

“He was really touched to be the face of ScottishPower’s World Cancer Day campaign and have the chance to thank NHS workers who looked after him.

"His day taking on the walk along the beaches of Prestwick, Troon and Ayr was just an amazing effort. The support from his colleagues at ScottishPower was amazing and it’s a memory I’ll treasure.”

Caireen Devanney, group financial controller at ScottishPower, described Stuart as "a fantastic colleague."

"We were all devastated when he passed," said Caireen. "We all miss his humour and warmth but the legacy of his fundraising certainly lives on.

“Despite everything he faced both physically and emotionally, he was always a true champion for the partnership team, doing all he could to share his own story to inspire people to support Cancer Research UK and prevent others going through what he had to face.

“He helped and inspired so many people and the Flame of Hope Award is recognition of the man he was. Winning is recognition of his big heart and generosity and I can think of no better way of commemorating him.”

Since being launched in 2012, the partnership between ScottishPower and Cancer Research UK has raised more than £35million.

Michelle Mitchell, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Thanks to the dedication of almost 30,000 volunteers supporting us right across the charity, from fundraising and increasing awareness of cancer to helping run shops and events, Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of progress that has seen cancer survival in the UK double over the past 40 years.

“The Flame of Hope Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate and say thank-you to those who have made outstanding contributions and we’re proud to have presented almost 2,000 awards since the first ceremony back in 2003.”