Four Carnoustie friends have united in a concerted effort to raise funds for Marie Curie and support local families fighting terminal illness.
The charity provides free professional nursing care at home to people with a range of terminal conditions, including cancer.
Due to the way in which its funding is allocated, the work of the new fundraising group will directly assist the care of families in need in the area.
Founder member and group treasurer Linda Merrilees said: “We’re just starting out but we’re really looking forward to running our own fun events and supporting other Marie Curie events locally.”
Emboldened by a New Year resolution, Linda, a hairdresser at Regency Hair and Beauty on Queen Street, contacted charity patron and fellow Carnoustie resident Petra McMillan about how best support the charity.
Petra, who has helped raise more than £100,000 for Marie Curie, suggested that Linda encourage her friends to set up a fundraising group.
The group Andrew Brown, Pam Cruickshank, Jenni Paterson and Linda has already mapped out various fundraisers for the year, including a dress-down day at Carlogie Primary School on June 3 and a Blooming Great Tea Party at the Regency salon from June 18 to 20.
Linda is also gathering a team for the Marie Curie Daredevil Challenge a 140-feet abseil down Dundee University tower building.
Petra is confident the Carnoustie group will have a major impact on end-of-life care in Angus.
For example, a Dundee-based fundraising group amassed £54,500 in their first year to secure 2,725 hours of high-quality, hands-on care for individuals in their own homes at the end of life.
Petra said: “Fundraising groups are hugely important to the provision of nursing services in our community.
“At present, for every one family we can help, we have to turn another away due to lack of funds, but by generating more cash locally, we’re ensuring the money is there to fund care when a local family calls us looking for help.”
To get involved in the group, or find out more about Marie Curie, visit www.mariecurie.org or contact Petra via petramcmillan@sky.com or call 07717 810365.