Former Rangers manager Walter Smith’s wife presents £50,000 donation to hospital that treated him

The wife of Walter Smith has presented a £50,000 donation to the West Dunbartonshire hospital that treated him before his death.

Smith won 13 major trophies in seven years at Ibrox before being appointed Scotland manager in December 2004.

He was in charge for three years before returning to Rangers, where he won a further eight trophies before retiring in 2011 after completing another domestic double.

The former chairman and manager died following a battle with cancer on October 26, 2021, aged 73.

A £50,000 donation from the Emmie Smillie Foundation has now been presented to the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria by Walter Smith’s wife, Ethel.

The cheque, which is raised to support cancer services across Scotland, was presented to the unit’s Charge Nurse, June Raines, and Gerry O’Hare, a former Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Vale unit, who cared for the 73-year-old during his treatment at the hospital.

Ethel nominated the unit as a thank you for the care her husband received while he was in hospital.

“When I was asked where I would like the money to go, I had no hesitation in nominating the unit here at the Vale”, she said.

“Walter received treatment here, so it felt fitting as a thank you for the care we received from the unit and the hospital in general.

“I’m so glad the money will be used here. We have personal experience of what the hospital does for the local community, and this donation is part of recognising that.”

The Emmie Smillie Foundation was established by businessman Andy Smillie following the death of his daughter from cancer.

The £50,000 will be used to enhance the facilities available at the unit and improve the experience of patients undergoing treatment there, with the exact details of how the money will be spent still to be decided.

Gerry O’Hare, who now works part-time at the Beatson in Glasgow, said: “Having worked at the Vale and knowing personally how much the unit meant to Walter and his family, it is wonderful to see such a significant donation coming back to support its patients.

“I know just how important this service is to the local community, and I’m delighted the Foundation’s generosity will help it continue to make a difference.”

June Raines said: “We are extremely grateful to the Emmie Smillie Foundation for this donation. Our unit is very much part of the community, and being able to provide treatment here means many patients can receive their care close to home.

“This £50,000 will allow us to enhance the facilities we provide and, most importantly, help make the experience of patients coming here for treatment that little bit easier.”

The latest gift follows a similar £50,000 donation from the Foundation to the Vale around four years ago.
Rebecca Reid, Interim Director for NHSGGC’s Clyde Sector, said: “We are grateful to the Emmie Smillie Foundation for this generous donation and to Ethel for nominating the Vale of Leven.

“Our teams work hard every day to provide high-quality, compassionate care for patients and their families, and this funding will help the unit continue to improve the experience of people receiving treatment at the Vale.

“I would like to thank everyone involved for their support of the hospital and the patients we care for.”