The mother of Perth teenager Kathleen Harkin has thanked strangers who left floral tributes on the two-year anniversary of her death.
Kathleen, known as Katie, was just 15 when she was pulled out of the River Tay, near St Madoes, on October 10.
The discovery came two days after she was last seen at Woody Island in North Muirton.
Now mum Rona Harkin has thanked friend of the Perth Grammar School pupil for keeping her memory alive.
“The family left flowers and I know her two close friends did but there were more than that and it was really touching to see,” she said.
“I think it’s so lovely that two years on people are still thinking about her and going out of their way to visit her, it really means a lot to us a family.
“If she knew when she was alive how popular she was she would be chuffed to bits. She had friends but I don’t think she had any idea how loved she was. I know her friends go to her grave quite often which is really touching because a cemetery is not a nice place to be, especially for young people.”
A massive search was carried out when Kate disappeared on the Saturday night. Rona, her husband Gary and five other children were devastated when the body was found.
Rona said: “I’ve lost two brothers and my parents and when my brother died at 24 I didn’t think I could feel a stronger pain until Katie died, I just can’t describe it.
“If someone mentions her name I still find it hard to hold it together.”
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Rona also thanked everyone who has donated to the RNLI in memory of Katie, as more than £3,000 has been raised.
“We asked for donations instead of flowers at the funeral and there have been a couple of other things but her friends kept the fundraising going on their own,” Rona said.
“Knowing that has all been done in her name has really helped the family through it.”
She said Katie’s tragic accident should act as a warning about the dangers of the Tay and the surrounding area.
She said: “I visited where she had been the night she went missing and it is the place she was so dangerous, it’s very narrow and slippy.
“I know teenagers go there a lot and they probably won’t pay any attention but I just want them to understand how quickly things can go wrong.
“The Tay is so strong and people don’t realise how dangerous it is but grown men have drowned in it. If I had known that’s where she was going I would never have let her go.”
Donations to the RNLI in Katie’s name can still be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/a-gallacher1.
