IT’S A long way from the banks of the Clyde to Central Park but for one special night in May, New York is sending a little piece of its heart to Glasgow.

Celebrities, New Yorkers and a bunch of generous Scots are all coming together in aid of the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.

ANN FOTHERINGHAM reports.

ALMOST six years to the day after her dad walked her up the aisle at the Boathouse in Central Park, Lynn Bakst is hosting a different kind of celebration in his memory.

The Rutherglen-born art director, who moved to the US 18 years ago, is hosting the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice’s first overseas fundraising event on May 23.

Her dad, Pat Bradley, spent his last days in the hospice following a battle with gastric cancer.

Lynn explains: “The gala will be an incredibly special night – it’s a wonderful opportunity for our Scots community abroad to come together with the people of Glasgow to help build the new hospice.

“We’ve got celebrities, entertainment, a wonderful auction and a terrific after party hosted by DJ Trevor Nelson.”

She pauses. “My husband Rich and I were married at the Boathouse six years ago, almost to the day. It was a beautiful day that brought our Scots and American families together.

“It will be hard but I have so many have terrific memories of Dad from our wedding dancing and laughing I just know he will be there in spirit with us on the night.”

Pat was diagnosed in June 2013. It came as a huge shock to Lynn, her brother James and her mum Sarah.

“My dad was very active, very fit and healthy and an avid runner so his diagnosis was completely unexpected,” recalls Lynn.

“We were guided by my husband Rich, who is a radiation oncologist and he found a surgeon in New York who thought he could operate on my dad.

“It was incredibly important to us to be with my dad as he went through his surgeries and treatment and so my parents moved to New York.”

Lynn’s brother James and his wife Crystal also live in New York, so the family supported each other as Pat began a gruelling round of chemotheraphy.

One year later, Pat was given the all clear to return to Scotland and life settled back into a normal routine. At Christmas, however, the family was given the devastating news that the cancer had returned.

“He was given further care and treatment in Glasgow and in July 2015, his health deteriorated and he moved to the hospice,” says Lynn.

“Here, the palliative care was outstanding – and my mum, brother and I also benefited from their amazing support.

“The hospice made it possible for my dad to live those last days surrounded by his family and we will be forever grateful for that.”

She adds: “Everyone was so supportive and understanding, they really made it possible for us just to focus on the time we had with him.

“The creation of the new hospice means the care can be taken to an extraordinary new level and we know first hand how much of a difference this will make to patients and their families.”

Lynn says she will always treasure the time she had with her dad in New York.

“As challenging as it was for my dad to go through the treatment we face it together with a lot of love and support,” she smiles.

“My dad was the extremely proud grandfather of three boys. My son Benjamin was only one when my dad came to New York, and they were devoted to each other.

“Even in the midst of his chemotherapy, my dad took Benjamin to Central Park to teach him how to play football, and they had a really special bond.”

She smiles: “While he was here, we had our second sun Leo, and James and Crystal had a baby boy, Patrick. My dad said the boys gave him great goals to aim for during his treatment.”

Despite his failing health, Pat continued to enjoy running.

“My mum and dad loved running – they used to run in support of Cancer Research UK,” says Lynn.

“They are the reason I began running marathons too.

“After three months of chemotherapy and five days before his tumour removal surgery, dad and I ran a Cancer Research fundraising fun run in Central Park.

“He had just turned 67 and my parents had just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary – we ran past the Boathouse, where the gala will be, and our family and friends cheered us on.”

Lynn adds: “It was a very special morning and it turned out to be the last run we had together.

“At the finish line I gave my dad the medal I got from my first NYC marathon - he deserved so much more. He was a true champion for running to support cancer patients while he was having treatment.”

Lynn is delighted her mum Sarah is travelling to New York for the event in May.

“She has been amazing – she is the ultimate mum, wife and granny and throughout it all, she was incredible,” she says.

“I moved here to pursue my career in design after I graduated from Glasgow School of Art and I thought I would just stay for a few years.

“I fell in love with the city and then I fell in love with Rich. Both our boys – who are now four and two – were born here so this is definitely my second home.”

She adds: “But when you live abroad, a part of your heart always belongs at home.

“This is a way of supporting something very special in Glasgow and I think it will be a great night.

“I think there would be no one happier than my dad to know that the Scots are gathering to support a cause close to our hearts. He had a huge heart – he’d be the first person to want to help.”