As we enter the festive season, we’re delighted to share that Solasta Riverside will be supporting Beatson Cancer Charity this year through both our Giving Tree and Giving Page.

The Beatson provides incredible care and comfort to people affected by cancer across Scotland, including those receiving treatment at their Glasgow unit in Gartnavel Hospital. This is a chance for us, as a community, to come together and bring a little light and warmth to those facing an especially difficult time of year.

Thank you for helping us share generosity, compassion, and community spirit this Christmas. Together, we can make a real difference to those in need.

Our Story:

At Solasta Residence in Glasgow, we’ve come together this festive season to support Beatson Cancer Charity through our very first Giving Tree — a simple idea that we hope will make a meaningful difference to people going through cancer treatment this Christmas.

The idea started with everyday conversations in our building: chats between residents, team members sharing personal experiences, and a realisation that almost everyone here knows someone who’s been affected by cancer. It quickly became clear that Beatson Cancer Charity wasn’t just a name we’d heard of — it was something many of us had leaned on, or knew someone who had. Their hospital is only minutes from where we live, yet the impact they have stretches far beyond Glasgow.

Our RSA Agent, Conor Slater, brought the idea forward after noticing how many residents wanted to do something that felt genuinely human and community-driven.

“Solasta is built on the idea of community,” he said. “Our residents come from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and across the UK, but also from places like Saudi Arabia, China and Japan. Many are living in Glasgow for the first time, and we work hard to make Solasta feel like home. Supporting a charity that is local, meaningful and close to many of us felt important.”

Conor also shared that Beatson Cancer Charity had come up in so many conversations across the building:

“A lot of us have been affected personally – through family members or friends – and Beatson Cancer Charity is always somewhere people turn to for support. Choosing them felt obvious, especially when they’re only a stone’s throw away from where we are based.”

The Giving Tree idea felt like a way to make our support tangible. Instead of just donating money, residents can pick up a tag and give a small, practical gift — something comforting that someone in treatment can hold, use, or feel supported by.

“For some people, donating money doesn’t tell the full story. Actually, selecting a gift helps them see where their support is going. Many residents are realising that items they might consider small – like warm socks or everyday essentials – can mean a great deal to someone receiving treatment. It’s eye-opening for them.”

For Conor, this initiative also carries a personal weight. A close friend of his, the same age as him, was recently diagnosed with blood cancer.

“It was a shock, especially because she’s the same age as me. But seeing how quickly she was cared for, and the reassurance she’s been given, shows just how vital The Beatson is. Knowing she’s in good hands means everything.”

At Solasta, we run regular community events to help people feel connected in a city that might still feel new to them. The Giving Tree is an extension of that spirit — a reminder that cancer doesn’t care about age, background, or where you’re from.

“We want our residents to understand that cancer can affect anyone – people you pass in the street, someone serving you in a café, or someone you’ve known your whole life. This is our way of giving back, supporting our community, and showing that people here care.”

Beatson Cancer Charity have shared their gratitude for the support:

“We’re so touched that Solasta Residence has chosen to support Beatson Cancer Charity through their Giving Tree this year. It’s such a thoughtful way to bring people together, and the kindness behind every gift will mean a great deal to people who are going through a really difficult time. Often, it’s the small comforts that help most, and knowing they’ve been chosen by someone who genuinely cares makes them even more special. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone at Solasta for getting involved and for the warmth they’re showing our patients.”

This GoFundMe is for anyone who wants to support the cause but can’t be here in person. Big or small, every donation helps bring comfort to someone facing one of the toughest times of their life.

At the end of the day, we’re just people helping people — and that’s what community is all about.