Caring kids help hospice that cared for their grandad

Vigo and Mondo Love are the grandsons of Cumbernauld Development Corporation town artist and writer Brian Miller who passed away in Strathcarron Hospice in August, aged 67.

The boys – Brian’s daughter Kirsty’s sons – wanted to help staff at the hospice which receives no state aid. This is despite the fact that Strathcarron costs a massive £65,000 per week to run.

Vigo and Mondo recently completed a fun run around Glasgow Green and have raised £1516 in sponsorship as their way of saying thank you. Money has flooded in not just from friends of the family in Cumbernauld, but locations like Hawaii, Australia and Belgium.

The boys have inherited a creative streak from their grandfather – both have made a short animated film together and Vigo has already decided he too wants to be a writer.

They also enjoy travelling and talk with enthusiasm about a trip to Berlin with their mum and dad and are looking forward to attending a giant summer scouting jamboree in Denmark.

But they also like to find time for a bit of keep-fit when a charitable cause is involved.

Vigo (13) said of the hospice: “When we went there we found out that it is a wonderful place, very relaxing, not morbid at all. There are so many people working there as volunteers and they do a lot to help. I have done charity runs before - for Oxfam and MS Scotland - but we obviously felt that this was something more personal to us. So raising money was something we could do to help.

“It was the fastest time I had done the run – last year I did the run with a friend and we were chatting as we crossed the finishing line but I felt good about smashing my target!’’

Mondo (11) added: “After I finished I had stitch but I was glad I had done it.”

Brian’s widow Mae said: “The boys did this entirely off their own bat. I think it is wonderful for young people to get involved with something like this. It was a great effort. I’m very proud of them and I know Brian would have been too.’’

The boys, who stay in Partick, have also won plaudits from the hospice itself.

Fundraising manager Angela Gillies said: “We are just so delighted to have this donation and are very grateful to the family and all the friends who made such a wonderful contribution. It is very impressive. Because of our high running costs this money really is needed.”

Meanwhile a special night is to be devoted to the memory of Brian at Cumbernauld Theatre on January 28.

This will see the Studio Theatre dedicated to Brian in recognition of his massive contribution to this venue which he helped build – and penned many a play for. Contributions and anecdotes are now being sought by the team at Cumbernauld Theatre. An exhibition of Brian’s paintings will also be put on show.