A DUNFERMLINE woman has said she is "blown away" by the response to an appeal for funds to help her go through cancer treatment.

Vivian Neil is set to travel to Newcastle for treatment for a rare blood cancer.

The volunteer at Pittencrieff Park's peacock enclosure will need to be away for treatment at the Freeman Hospital for up to three weeks and faces daily visits as an out-patient.

Although she believes the NHS will cover some of her expenses, she fears this will not be enough for the time she has to spend in Newcastle.

A gofundme page has raised more than £1,000 within three days and any money not needed for treatment expenses will go to help the peacocks in the Glen.

Vivian has been astounded by the response.

"I didn't expect it to be going like this," she said. "It literally was a last resort. I am not the kind of person that asks for help. I am the person that will give you my last but it was getting too stressful for me.

"Even if I got £100, I would be happy and I have got £1,090 since setting it up on Sunday. It has blown me away.

"The NHS is going to fund some of the money but I don’t think it will cover all of my expenses – they want me to pay up front and then reimburse me. Now my hotel costs £1,500 alone and I simply do not have that kind of money."

Vivian was diagnosed with Mycosis Fungoides or Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma in February 2018, however, her condition deteriorated during the coronavirus lockdown.

After unsuccessful chemotherapy, it is hoped the total skin electron beam radiotherapy which will be carried out in Newcastle can help improve her health.

"I am doing OK at the moment," said Vivian. "The fatigue has caught up with me lately. It hits me like a wall and I can spend four days in bed."

Earlier this year, Vivian raised an incredible £1,800 for the peacock aviary when she – along with former Pars captain Scott Thomson – underwent a head shave in the Glen.

She organised the fundraiser after facing the prospect of losing her hair with her next treatment so decided to turn it into a positive experience by doing a charity head-shave.

Anyone wanting to help Vivian's fundraising can do so by visiting www.gofund.me/ec54d4e2.