KIND-HEARTED Dunfermline woman Linda Watson is gearing up for a big fundraising campaign this year in memory of her beloved mum.

The 2016 holder of the Press’s Community Champions’ Charity Champion title, Linda has already raised more than £40,000 for MND Scotland since losing her mother through Motor Neurone Disease in 2013.

She and brother Craig are now organising their second Summer Rose Ball – which will take place on June 24 – and they also plan to climb Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes for MND Scotland in September.

Having raised more than £6,000 from the inaugural ball in 2015, Linda, of West Baldridge Road, is hoping to build on their previous efforts and raise even more this year.

“Winning the Press award was quite a surprise and was really lovely,” she said.

“I took a break last year to focus on myself and my work but myself and my brother are doing quite a lot this year. 

“When we didn’t have it last year, there were a lot of people who asked if we were having it again and a lot of people were disappointed when we didn’t,” she said.

“Hopefully, we can beat our total from the last one. I am really hoping we get enough ticket sales and get more people coming along through word of mouth.

“Twelve tables have been sold or reserved already which matches the 2015 event and I am hoping that will increase over the next couple of months.”

The glitzy ball at the Glen Pavilion will include a drinks reception, three-course meal, live music from local band No Alibi as well as a raffle and an auction.

It will be hosted by Birmingham-based radio and television presenter John Collins, an MND supporter, and its guest speaker will be Fife Council Provost Jim Leishman.

Linda started fundraising the year before her mum’s death and, as well as organising the previous ball, she has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and walked the West Highland Way.

“Hopefully my mum will be proud of what we have done,” she said. “I lost my mum to Motor Neurone Disease in 2013. She had the condition for just two years. 

“The charity were a massive support to her and continue to support people across Scotland. It is the only charity in Scotland which supports the condition and is vital as it provides counselling, support, equipment and is trying to change policy and the benefits system.

"There is so much that they do and they are the only people who do it. The work they do is essential.”

For more information on the ball, visit the event’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SummerRoseBall.