AN inspirational family has raised an amazing £30,000 for Ardgowan Hospice in memory of their beloved dad.

Loved ones of Joe Donnachie, who passed away at the hospice in December after losing his fight with pancreatic cancer, followed in his footsteps by walking from their home town to Celtic Park.

Around 100 people completed the 22-mile 'I'd Walk A Million Miles' challenge in his memory.

His son Brendan, 36, said: "We are delighted we raised £28,200, and by the time the gift aid is added that will bring the donation to the hospice up to £30,000. "It's been well worthwhile and it's a great tribute to our dad.

"All the people who joined in showed how well thought of he was. The hospice is a good cause on its own."

The group were retracing the route the dad-of-four, a painter and decorator, had taken some 30 years previously to raise funds for a brain scanner for the former Yorkhill Children's Hospital.

Brendan was joined by his mum Agnes, his brother Joseph, 38. and sisters Gillian Hutton, 39 and Claire McFadden, 33.

The younger generation also pitched in with Joe's grandchildren 10-year-old Leo and four-year-old Ann Donnachie, one-year-old Jude Hutton and Zara McFadden who was only eleven months at the time, taking part.

The family wanted to say thank-you for the care Joe received.

Agnes, 60, said: "The staff at the hospice were wonderful. They were great with Joe and a great support for all the family."

Brendan said it the walk was 'very emotional'.

He told the Tele: "Everyone who did the walk was over the moon to be part of it.

"We hoped to raise £10,000 over the course of a year but to achieve that in just 12 weeks of organising, it's phenomenal. We're dumbfounded.

"I think my dad would have been very proud , especially as he did it before, and with the amount of people who joined in."

Hospice bosses were swift to praise the family's generous donation. Ian Marshall, acting chief executive, said: "What the Donnachie family have achieved is absolutely amazing.

"Their decision to raise funds in memory of their much loved, husband, dad and grandad is very much appreciated by all here at Ardgowan Hospice.

"Their efforts and the generosity of their friends and family could pay for 47 patient nights in our specialist in-patient unit where people diagnosed with a life-limiting condition can get access to the best palliative care they need – that is a truly incredible achievement.”