Vets practice staff raises over £2000 for breast cancer charity

The team of 15 vets, nurses, receptionists and support colleagues recently walked from their Barnhill surgery in Broughty Ferry to their Arbroath branch.

The walk had a special significance for the team, as veterinary nurse Freya Buwert, who works at Barnhill, recently received the all-clear after undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

They also walked in memory of their former colleague, vet Catherine Macleod, who worked at the Arbroath practice and died from the disease 12 months ago.

Organised as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the team donned pink for the coastal route, raising funds for Breast Cancer Now.

VetPartners, the group of veterinary practices and animal healthcare businesses of which Parkside Vets is a part, boosted the fundraising total by contributing an additional 20% of the amount raised.

Freya was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024 and underwent three rounds of surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. She is now receiving preventative treatment.

Organising the walk gave her an opportunity to give something back, while also helping the team honour the life of Catherine, a popular vet and mother of two, on the first anniversary of her death.

Freya said: “A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every nine minutes and, as a female-dominated profession, our practice has been impacted by breast cancer more than once in recent years.

“The walk wasn’t just about raising funds, although that was really important. It was also about raising awareness and encouraging women to check themselves.

“When I first found out I had cancer, I was very shocked. Catherine was going through cancer at the time too, and I saw how amazing she was. We wanted to remember her on our walk.”

Anyone wishing to donate can do so at https://gofund.me/5d6aac937.

Parkside Vets is part of VetPartners, a group of veterinary practices and animal healthcare businesses across the UK and Europe.