A family-run restaurant in Rutherglen is commemorating 25 years in business by giving back to a charity close to their hearts. Derek and Annette Freeman, the proprietors of The Bistro, are raising funds for the Beatson Charity in memory of Derek’s father, Tully, who passed away in 2022. The couple’s nephew, John Kerr, shared that the restaurant, previously operated by Derek’s parents, has been in their hands since just before the pandemic hit. Unfortunately, during that period, Tully battled cancer, and the family experienced his loss.
John mentioned, “The Bistro was operated from September 1999 by Derek’s mum and dad. Annette and Derek took over just about a month before Covid, so it wasn’t ideal timing. Sadly, round about that time Tully was diagnosed with cancer, and we lost him. The Beatson did a lot of good work with Tully and the family, so we thought as it’s 25 years, we’d do something for them.”
To honour their anniversary, Derek and Annette have devised a unique competition to support the Beatson Charity. Entrants will stand a chance to win a meal for two every month for a year from The Bistro’s à la carte menu. The competition involves making a minimum donation of £5 through a dedicated GoFundMe page set up by the family, with additional entries based on multiples of £5 donated.
Derek elaborated, “We were looking to do a competition but didn’t want to do the usual Facebook like, share and tag kind of thing. We were trying to think of something a bit better and came up with this idea for the Beatson.” He recounted their previous efforts in fundraising for the charity and shared their commitment to supporting such a meaningful cause.
Reflecting on the enduring popularity of The Bistro, located at 23 Hamilton Road, Derek expressed pride in the restaurant’s reputation, boasting over 1500 positive reviews on online platforms. The couple highlighted their top rankings on Trip Advisor as a testament to their commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences for their customers.
As the fundraising initiative aligns with the restaurant’s 25th anniversary, the Freemans hope to continue their tradition of charitable endeavours and community support. Individuals keen on participating in the competition and aiding the Beatson Charity can donate through the dedicated GoFundMe page: www.gofundme.com/f/25-years-celebrate-in-tullys-honour?
With the draw scheduled for Christmas Day, the family anticipates spreading joy and goodwill during the festive season while remembering Tully and their significant milestone in the restaurant business.