Volunteer and campaigner

Born: April 19, 1934;

Died: May 30, 2017

BILL Haining, who has died aged 83, was a formidable campaigner, volunteer and organiser who set up a cancer support group in Beith in Ayrshire 30 years ago that helped support thousands of patients and their families. With his death, the town has lost one of its best known citizens.

He was born in Barrmill in Ayrshire, where his father Willie was stationmaster, and left school age 14 in April 1948. In fact he was one of the last able to do so before the leaving age was raised to 15. He was never academic and was pleased to get his freedom, but what he did learn was that a strong work ethic was what would help him succeed.

He immediately gained employment as a trainee hairdresser at Storey’s Hairdressing Salon in Eglinton Street. Seventy years ago that meant an apprenticeship of three years followed by another two years under supervision. Never in a million years did he think he would go on to establish and run Billy’s of Beith, the longest-running single generation business in the town.

His business career began on March 25 1953. He recently recalled: “After training in hairdressing and attending day release one day a week and two evenings at Glasgow’s Stow College, I took the plunge and set up my own ladies hairdressing salon in Head Street. Beith at that time was thriving. The town could boast at least 103 shops that I recall and seven cabinet works.”

After operating his business from five different premises over many years, he finally settled in the town’s Wilson Street, in a jewellery gift shop which is still successfully run by his daughter, Lorna.

Working as a team, Bill and his wife Moira built a great reputation for Billy’s of Beith, delivering a thriving business and from then on, they were rarely ever apart.

They also became totally immersed in a charity which would take them on a long journey of caring for others. Moira said: “In Beith’s Trinity Church some 28 years ago a letter was read out inviting everyone to a meeting in Dalry to help Ayrshire Cancer Support Group expand their services to the Garnock Valley. Bill decided to go along because he knew many families touched by cancer, and wanted to find out how he could help.”

In fact Bill Haining was the only person from Beith to attend the meeting. It touched a chord of caring and resulted in him providing the Garnock Valley with a top-drawer voluntary service for cancer patients. Over the years over 600 patients, many receiving help for several years, and grateful families have benefited from a life-saving voluntary hospital transport service. At the same time, Bill and his supporters have raised £500,000 to support Ayrshire Cancer Support Group.

That meeting in Dalry was really life-changing for Bill Haining. It graphically highlighted the extent of cancer in the Garnock Valley area and the problems experienced by patients with the additional stress and worry about family finances.

He said recently: “I have many patients who regularly give donations in grateful thanks for the service provided by the Beith branch. They remember and think of others now suffering because they have made that same difficult journey.”

He added: “There is immense satisfaction that through our efforts local folk in the Garnock Valley continue receiving life-saving treatment. Moira and I have had several pleasant and unexpected surprises and awards over the years which is very nice. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would be doing this job for 28 years and in the process raise a half of a million pounds. This is quite amazing, and very satisfying.”

The work of Ayrshire Cancer Support Group covers the whole of Ayrshire with only 17p in every £1 used for administration purposes. Conversely, Bill and Moira are proud that the local Beith group has absolutely no administration costs.

The Garnock Valley community will be feeling the loss of a remarkable man who cared for others in very practical ways. He has left a wonderful legacy of inspirational fundraising, team building and leadership skills.

He is survived by his wife, Moira, daughters Shona and her husband, Chris, daughter Lorna and her husband, Willie and granddaughters Kirsty and Katrina.

DONALD L REID