ALLY McLean has vowed to finish the women's 10K in Glasgow in May, even if she has to walk it.

She wants to raise much-needed funds for Cancer Support Scotland and says the chemotherapy treatment she is currently receiving won't get in her way.

The 62-year-old, from Lenzie, has run about a dozen 10Ks over the years and last year raised money for the Calman Cancer Support Centre, in the grounds of Gartnavel Hospital.

This time she hopes to match, if not exceed, the £2000 sum reached.

"I was initially diagnosed in 1993 with breast cancer, I had 17 years clear and was then re-diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2010," she says.

"That was a blow but it's OK, I've been able to carry on really well. It's entirely manageable, I could be feeling a lot worse."

Unwilling to give in, she said she wanted to maintain the lifestyle she had before being re-diagnosed.

"When I started running it was a slow process but I really enjoyed it.

"I had never run the length of myself before," says the retired special needs teacher.

"I don't want to make it sound like I'm extremely sporty - I'm not.

"But it's so good for your head and sense of wellbeing."

Ally's determination to stay healthy is a perfect example of the thinking behind our Active 2014 campaign.

We want to improve the health of Scots in the year of the Commonwealth Games and build a lasting legacy of physical wellbeing.

Working with partners Glasgow Life and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde we will be creating exciting opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses to get active as we bid to improve the health of as many people as possible in the community.

The message of this campaign is that even the smallest of changes in activity and lifestyle can make a huge improvement in health.

On the day of the 10K, Ally will complete the route with friends.

"I would love to do it in an hour and 25 minutes but I'm not going to make a big thing about that. If I can get round it, fine."

A volunteer at the Calman Cancer Support Centre, Ally helps in the garden.

"It's a wonderful place because it focuses so much on one-to-one care.

"I was first involved with them when it was still called Tak Tent.

"I went along two or three times to talk to a wonderful counsellor, it was great to have someone to open up to."

angela.mcmanus@eveningtimes.co.uk