A CARING Greenock railway worker who has raised more than £11,000 in memory of his dad is on the right track to complete another charity challenge in his honour. 

Jonathan Glass, 34, is taking on the Kiltwalk to pay tribute to his much-missed father Ian, who passed away in 2022 after a battle with acute myeloid leukaemia. 

Ever since his dad was diagnosed with the illness, Jonathan has generated cash for Blood Cancer UK and Ardgowan Hospice to thank them for the support they provided to his family. 

Greenock Telegraph:
This is the third consecutive year that Jonathan has signed up for the Kiltwalk, and he says he feels very proud to once again be travelling the 23 miles from Glasgow Green to Loch Lomond on April 28 to raise money to help cancer patients.

He said: "Raising money and making more people aware of the symptoms of blood cancer will hopefully stop people from going through what we all went through.

"We're fortunate that we're getting the chance to help other people."

Jonathan told the Telegraph how his dad's condition was uncovered after a test revealed he had high levels of protein in his blood. 

Ian had worked as a policeman before taking on a social work courier role with Inverclyde Council. 

Greenock Telegraph:
The devoted Greenock dad sadly passed away under the care of Ardgowan Hospice at the age of 71, just eight weeks after he was diagnosed. 

Jonathan said: "He found out he had high protein levels just before Covid hit, so it wasn't monitored. 

"One night in 2022 he was violently sick and he was started on a drug trial at the Royal Alexandra in Paisley, but ended up with pneumonia. 

"We were told that it's incredibly hard to fight acute myeloid leukaemia when you're over 70."

Jonathan said he and his family are so thankful to the team at the hospice for the care they provided.

He added: "He was only there for three or four days before he passed. 

"The team were incredible and allowed him to pass away with such dignity. 

"We're so lucky to have the hospice."

Jonathan says Blood Cancer UK also provided a huge amount of support to his family from the moment Ian received his diagnosis. 

He added: "They were fantastic with us and wrote us a lovely letter after my dad passed away. 
"We want to do everything we can to give something back."

As well as taking part in the tartan trek, Jonathan and his friends and family have organised charity nights to raise money for charity. 

Supporters have generated more than £11,000 in total, which has been split equally between Blood Cancer UK and the hospice. 

Jonathan, who works for ScotRail as a station team leader, says his friends and colleagues at the travel provider have been a great support.

He's taking on the Kiltwalk this year alongside his friends Leeanne Dunko and Lea Gallacher, supported by his husband Ryan, mum Margaret and sister Emma-Jane. 

Jonathan added: "My dad got to see the first Telegraph story about the Kiltwalk before he passed away and he was so proud. 

"It's a fantastic event and you get to meet so many people. 

"At the 18 or 19 mile mark there's always a bit of a 'why did I do this!' moment when my feet are so sore but it's all worth it in the end.

"I hope that it gets people thinking about blood cancer and raises awareness of it."

To donate visit https://shorturl.at/gkwS7