Charity ball in Glasgow to honour life of late SNP MSP Christina McKelvie

A charity ball celebrating the life of Christina McKelvie is set to take place next year, with friends, family and supporters invited to honour her legacy and raise money for charity.

Organisers say the The Christina McKelvie Ball, taking place on April 4, 2026 at Hilton Glasgow, will reflect the late SNP MSP’s spirit and values, with a spokesperson adding that the evening will bring together “friends, allies, activists, community members and all who share her values.”

The long-standing government minister died in March, aged 57, at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary after a lengthy battle with secondary breast cancer.

The ball will raise funds for Breast Cancer Now and Maggie’s, two charities Christina championed throughout her life and during her own breast cancer diagnosis.

Sarah Slaven, senior community fundraiser for Scotland at Breast Cancer Now, said the organisation was “deeply touched and grateful” for the event being held in Christina’s honour.

She described her as a longstanding supporter who had worked to highlight the issues facing people affected by breast cancer in Scotland.

“Christina was a powerful advocate for breast checking and encouraging women to attend their breast screening appointments, and for the importance of improved data, treatment and care for those with secondary breast cancer,” she said.

Slaven noted that around 5,310 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Scotland, around 102 every week, and said the funds raised would support the charity’s goal that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will “live and live well.”

Maggie’s Glasgow Centre Head Kerry Craig also paid tribute, saying the charity was “incredibly grateful” to those organising the event.

McKelvie was born in 1968 and became an MSP in 2007 – representing Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from 2011.

She was Minister for Equalities from 2018 to 2023, when she became Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, and was Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy from February 2024.

Craig said she had the “privilege” of getting to know Christina at the centre and believed she would be “honoured to be remembered and celebrated in such a way.”

“She understood the expert, bespoke support we offer at Maggie’s so well and became one of our biggest champions despite coping with her own diagnosis,” Craig added.

“I am sure the ball will be a huge success.”

The event is expected to attract supporters from across the community to celebrate Christina’s life and continue the work she cared deeply about.