An Angus woman fighting to save her best friend’s life has been blown away by the generosity shown by the local community.
Montrose mum Bekki Smith-Dutton sent out a rallying call to the public after her “soul sister” Riekie Cloete was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia which leaves her with just a one in 100,000 chance of survival.
A bone marrow match was found in Germany for South Africa-based nurse Riekie but her medical aid does not cover foreign donor matches and the cost of the procedure is £15,000.
Riekie, 39, won’t live to see her two children, aged five and eight, grow up unless the money can be raised in the coming days.
Around £3,000 had been raised before Bekki shared her story with The Courier and since then she’s been left overwhelmed by the response.
Bekki, owner of Cloud 9 hair and beauty salon in Arbroath, said: “I’m absolutely blown away by people’s generosity considering they don’t even know Riekie.
“I knew my friends and family would help out but for complete strangers to be donating is just incredible.
“Riekie’s story has touched so many hearts.”
Bekki has now managed to raise over £6,300 after a surge in donations.
Fundraising in South Africa has also gathered £1,000 but it remains a race against time to meet the shortfall.
“One man actually contacted my parents and left a message on their phone after looking up Smith-Dutton in the phone book because he doesn’t have the internet,” said Bekki.
“He lost his wife to the same disease but she wasn’t lucky enough to find a match.
“He seemed as desperate as I am for Riekie to get the transplant.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that it’s there waiting for her but they will not touch her until she raises the first £15,000.”
Bekki also received a £750 donation out of the blue from a woman in Arbroath which was the proceeds of tablet sales.
She usually gives the money she raises from her baking to different charities but decided to give the lot to Riekie’s survival bid.
Riekie is currently under the care of a leading haematologist in Pretoria where the operation would be carried out but her blast cell count is becoming dangerously high.
The pair have been friends for 15 years since they travelled the world together working in cruise ship spas.
People can donate at
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Riekiecloetebonemarrowfund
