A plaque has been installed on a bench outside the Nationwide Building Society’s Falkirk branch to pay tribute to a former patient who busked at the spot to raise money for local cancer services.

Charlie Treeby, who died on 13th December 2021 aged 70, wanted to thank staff from NHS Forth Valley’s Oncology Unit and Macmillan One to One service for the support he received after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Healthcare Support Workers from the local Macmillan Healthcare Support Worker project visited Charlie regularly at home to provide care and support during his short illness.

Despite his illness, Charlie, a keen guitarist, continued to busk outside his local Nationwide branch in Falkirk where he deposited his day’s takings and arranged for them to be donated to Macmillan. He also raised funds to pay for his own funeral and was well known by staff in the Nationwide branch and regular visitors to Falkirk town centre.

Jane Niblo, Macmillan One to One Manager and Community Care Nurse in NHS Forth Valley, said: “Charlie was a lovely man who was determined to raise money to thank the local healthcare staff involved in his care. Staff at Nationwide were also very fond of him and we wanted to install a plaque on the bench outside the branch in his memory.

“Charlie’s generous donations were very much appreciated and the money he raised will be used to support patients and their families during and after cancer treatment.”

“I would like to thank Charlie’s family and friends, staff from Nationwide’s Falkirk Branch and Falkirk Council for helping to organise the plaque for the bench which will now be known as Charlie’s bench.”

Charlie was cared for at Strathcarron Hospice during his last days and died peacefully there surrounded by his family and friends.