BIG-HEARTED staff at Debenhams Dunfermline have charity on the brain after being inspired by a brave schoolgirl's battle with cancer.

The Press previously told you how Charlotte McPherson's alarming intake of water led to her being diagnosed with a hypothalamic germinona, a malignant brain tumour, in 2014.

The Pittencrieff Primary pupil, of High Beveridgewell, underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and has now been cancer-free for almost two years.

Now staff at Debenhams Dunfermline, where Charlotte's mum Juliet works as a warehouse manager, have decided to undertake a summer of fund-raisers for the Brain Tumour Charity as a way of giving back for the support the family received.

Each department within the store has been given a fund-raising target of £150, and to date £450 has been raised through events including a car boot sale, sponsored dog walk at the Glen, in-store cycle and Lent, where staff gave up their favourite thing for a month.

Store trainer Rachel Livingston said: “Because of our connections with Juliet we wanted to make it a personal thing for the store.

“A lot of us had never heard of the Brain Tumour Charity before and wanted to give them a bit of exposure as well at the store.

“We're a small store and we all get on really well. When Charlotte was diagnosed, we were all very concerned, and we were really happy when she got the all-clear.”

Charlotte, now 12, had to repeat Primary 6 after missing so much school, but is doing well and will be going into P7 at Pittencrieff Primary in the new term.

Dad Barry, 46, said Charlotte's next scan will be at Edinburgh's Sick Kids Hospital in September – and it's now about rebuilding her confidence.

He told the Press: “All going well that will be two years clear. The big milestone is five years, so we have a bit of a way to go yet.

“This whole journey has been a day at a time. She's been a battler throughout and has been an example to us all. She's a resilient bairn.

“I can't think of a bigger shock any person, or parent, could have than a cancer diagnosis for their child – every day we look at her and we're just amazed at her bravery and spirit.

“But cancer doesn't leave anyone unmarked, and it's harder after having the all-clear.

“Three months ago, she finally took her ever-present headscarf off. She had lost her hair, which was quite traumatic – it had become a crutch and she never went to school without her bandanna.

“We knew her hair was growing back but she always wanted the bandanna on – it's small things like that, and rebuilding her confidence.”

He also praised Pittencrieff Primary for supporting Charlotte, saying: “They've been great.

“She's a bit disappointed she won't be joining her group of friends in high school but she'll be there soon enough.”