30/09/2026
We had the real pleasure of welcoming Des Clarke from Heart Scotland Breakfast to the National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow last week, where he had the opportunity to meet patients, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff and our peer support team.
It was incredibly touching to hear personal journeys and experiences, reminding us of the difference that genuine peer support can make. Listening to these stories really brought home the importance of the work we do and the true value and impact of our team.
On Sunday 4th October Des will take on the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, but he won't be doing it alone! He'll be joined by 70 Heart Half Marathon Heroes, comprised of Heart listeners, including some of our friends from Digby Brown Solicitors and one of our members, Cameron Ross.
Cameron experienced a spinal stroke in 2022 at the age of 29 which left him temporarily paraplegic. Although he has made a remarkable recovery, he continues to manage the hidden, day-to-day effects of his spinal cord injury. With determination, carefully set goals and support from Spinal Injuries Scotland’s peer support team, Cameron worked to rebuild his strength and confidence, eventually returning to the hills he had loved before his injury. He went on to take on the extraordinary challenge of trekking to Everest Base Camp raising vital funds and awareness for Spinal Injuries Scotland and showing what can be possible after a life-changing injury. His fundraising journey has continued closer to home too including completing the Edinburgh Half Marathon and now taking part in the Great Scottish Run with Heart Scotland's Half Marathon Heroes.
Des said: “Throughout my time at Heart, I have had the privilege to meet many incredible people who are supported by the amazing small charities in Scotland funded by Global's Make Some Noise. To help raise money for this year’s appeal, I wanted to do something special. We’re so lucky to have a brilliant gang of listeners who tune in every single morning to hear me, Adele & Grado on the Heart Scotland Breakfast Show... So I thought, let’s do something we’ve never done before… let’s get them involved too. I've seen the impact small charities like can have when people need them the most - and that is why I am running my first ever Great Scottish Run, alongside the rest of the Heart Half Marathon Heroes”
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