Yellow Yogis raises over £175,000 for the Beatson Cancer Charity
We’re delighted to share that Yellow Yogis, which the Trust supported as platinum sponsor, has raised more than £175,000 for the Beatson Cancer Charity, and donations are still coming in.
Niamh and her daughter practising the warrior pose at the Trust’s sponsored photo stand, SEC Glasgow.
On Sunday 13 September, more than 1,200 people filled the SEC in Glasgow for what was billed as Scotland’s largest yoga event, and “a big stretch for a wee cause”. Finlay Wilson, The Kilted Yogi, was piped in by the ScottishPower Pipe Band to lead the class, and host Jenny Powell was joined by Sanjeev Kohli and Cammy Barnes to keep the crowd entertained.
Thank you to everyone who took part, donated and volunteered, and to Mike Smith, whose idea it was. We’re proud to have played a part in such a special day for the Beatson.
Supporting Colour for Crosshouse at the Turnberry Ladies Lunch
On Friday 28 August, Niamh attended the Turnberry Ladies Lunch in the ballroom of the famous Turnberry hotel, where she pledged the Trust’s support for Colour for Crosshouse.
The appeal, run by Crosshouse Children’s Fund, is redecorating the children’s areas at Crosshouse Hospital in Ayrshire: the ward entrance, where so many children begin their hospital journey, the children’s wards and A&E. The aim is to give the children who need to attend Crosshouse, and their families, a brighter, more upbeat and more pleasant place to be.
On Thursday 20 August, Barry, Denise and Tony attended and supported Maggie’s at Moulsdale, a black-tie gala dinner at the Moulsdale Foundation in Glasgow, helping to raise £250,000 for Maggie’s.
Guests enjoyed an evening among the museum’s collection of more than 400 classic cars and motorbikes. All proceeds go to Maggie’s Lanarkshire, supporting people facing a cancer diagnosis.
This summer the Trust sponsored one of the giant Scottie dog sculptures in Scotties in the City, a Wild in Art trail led by Maggie’s. Our Scottie took its place in Glasgow city centre as one of 40 giant Scotties, joined by 52 wee ones, that brought colour to the city’s streets from 18 June to 16 August 2026.
Funded by the Trust and created by artist Laura Henderson, CTRL+ALT+DELEASH was wrapped in colourful software patterns, from a loading bar to a computer mouse.
Barry with CTRL+ALT+DELEASH.
When the trail ended, the sculptures were auctioned off to their forever homes. Together, the trail raised £435,500 for Maggie’s, supporting people with cancer and their families.
Barry, Tony and Niamh attended the launch and press day for the Yellow Yogis event. The Wood Family Charitable Trust is proud to be a platinum sponsor of this health and wellbeing initiative, which was conceived by Mike Smith.
At the Yellow Yogis launch and press day, January 2026.
The Trust is delighted to support the Beatson Cancer Charity through this event and looks forward to helping raise significant funds at the yoga gathering being held at the SEC Glasgow in September.
Supporting Ruth Memorial Orphanage School in Uganda since 2008
Since 2008, the family has supported Ruth Memorial Orphanage School in Uganda — first through Turnkey Computer Technology Ltd, and more recently through The Wood Family Charitable Trust.
Children at Ruth Memorial Orphanage School, Uganda.
The school provides education and care for children in the local community, and the Trust is proud to continue a relationship that began long before the Trust itself was established.
On the road for Drive to Maggie’s
Barry supported Drive to Maggie’s, the charity road trip held every two years to raise funds for Maggie’s, which offers free practical, emotional and psychological support to people with cancer and their loved ones.
Supporters set off on a journey across some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside, and on Thursday 28 August around 30 cars gathered at Drumlanrig Castle along the way. The stop meant a great deal locally: a new Maggie’s Centre has been approved for Dumfries, bringing expert cancer support closer to the community.
A Leap Year Burns Supper for Race Against Dementia
On Friday 28 February, Barry and Denise supported the Leap Year Burns Supper at Crossbasket Castle in High Blantyre, held in aid of Race Against Dementia. Barry was also part of the committee that organised the evening.
Barry (far left) showing off his 1952 Cooper Bristol before dinner at Crossbasket Castle.
Taking pride of place in the dining room was Barry’s 1952 Cooper Bristol, a car driven in period by Jimmy Stewart, brother of Sir Jackie Stewart. It was a fitting guest of honour: Sir Jackie founded Race Against Dementia after his wife Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, and the charity funds early-career researchers to speed up progress towards a cure.
The programme featured a message from Sir Jackie, the Immortal Memory delivered by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, a five-course meal created and introduced by Michel Roux Jr, a grand auction, and songs and recitations in honour of the Bard.
One of the Trust’s first acts was a five-year pledge to fund three research fellows at Race Against Dementia, backing the next generation of dementia researchers.
Race Against Dementia funds early-career research fellowships, pairing promising scientists with leading labs around the world to speed up progress toward new treatments. By committing for five years rather than one, the Trust wanted to give researchers the stability to pursue longer-term, higher-impact work rather than funding project by project.
