LAST year they walked to celebrate their dad's life and this year they will walk to commemorate his death.

The 40-strong family of Brian McLaughlin plan to take part in the Off The Beatson Track walk for the Beatson Cancer Charity.

The Evening Times told in August last year of how grandad Brian's wife and children were supporting him through a lung cancer diagnosis.

At the time, Brian, 70, said he would try anything to be with his family for as long as possible.

But sadly the father-of-ten passed away just a few weeks ago in the year he and his wife, Eileen, would celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

Last year 50 of Brian's friends and family raised £12,500 for the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Hospital.

This year they plan to complete the six-and-a-half mile route again, in Brian's honour.

His daughter, Clare Eagle, said: "My mum is at a bit of a loss and we all are struggling when it comes to big milestones but we make an effort to remember the good times, as that's what my dad would have wanted.

"We had a very clear message from my dad always to us and that was to keep going, regardless and to keep trying the best you can.

"If we were in the position to help others in any way, shape or form then we were absolutely to do that.

"He was intending to do the walk this year, had he been here."

Their dad will very much be at the front of their minds as Geraldine, 49; Eileen, 48; Mary Gerrard, 47; Frances, 45; Brian, 44; Anthony, 43; Stephen, 41; Felicity, 37; Clare, 36; and Nick, 33; along with 19 grandchildren start the route this Sunday from the Riverside Museum.

Last year Brian wore a t-shirt saying McLaughlin 1 and this year Eileen will carry it.

Clare, from Paisley, said the family is determined to help the Beatson after the exceptional care their father received.

She added: "We were lucky to have the time with him that we did get.

"He developed a second tumour in the brain so things did get very difficult with him, he had several bad falls, which were very difficult to manage at the time.

"As we moved through the process of treatment at the Beatson it became clear there was nothing more they could do for dad but when he got the brain tumour they did not hesitate to treat it even though it meant only a couple of weeks.

"They spend thousands of pounds prepping him for surgery, even though it would ultimately make no difference.

"But his consultant said, 'I can give you a couple of more weeks,' and how valuable that is to a person is amazing, those extra couple of days or weeks with their loved ones.

"If we can raise money and do that for someone else, that's our goal. My dad would not want us not trying."

Last year the group raised £12,500. Although they don't expect to top that total, Clare says they will raise as much as possible for the centre that helped her dad.

Brian was diagnosed in August last year at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and was transferred immediately to the Beatson.

He wanted to do something for the hospital and the staff who helped him so the whole family took part in Off The Beatson Track.

The grandfather's diagnosis came as a shock to the family, particularly as Brian had never been ill before.

He continued to work during his chemotherapy treatment until Eileen insisted he rest.

After treatment for a secondary brain tumour, Brian passed away in June.

Clare said: "Last year the walk was really special and brought the family all together. That's what it's for, bringing people together.

"Dad wore a t shirt last year with McLaughlin 1 on the back and this year my mum will be carrying it.

"Dad will be part of the day."

To donate to the McLaughlin family's efforts see www.justgiving.com/brianmclaughlin