A ROSYTH family who have been hit by a double cancer blow have braved a firewalk over hot coals in support of the Maggie's Centre in Fife.

Michael Smith, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer within days of his wife, died at the age of 74 last month.

The night before his funeral on October 8, his daughter, Lynn Hastings, and grand-daughter, Lauren Smith, completed a fire walk in Markinch as they continue to raise cash for the cancer support charity.

Lynn told the Press: "As my dad was supposed to be at the event and as it was his funeral the next day, it was an emotional moment.

"For nearly two hours, we did motivational training to prepare us for the hot coals.

"But we felt like my dad was with us so that gave us encouragement.

"We wore our orange jumpers for Maggie's which we needed as it was a cold night, apart from the feet!

"The temperature was so hot it could melt metal!

"I was the first one to do it and it really hurt! As soon as I stepped on the coals I wanted to get straight off.

"You were supposed to shout, 'Yes, yes, yes' when you're walking across but that all went out of my head and I was saying something much ruder!"

The pair raised £371 with many contributing at Michael's funeral last Friday.

As the Press reported last month, the much-loved Rosyth man was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer which had spread to his chest in June just days after his wife, Irena, 73, was told she had terminal lung cancer.

The shock news triggered Lynn and Lauren to kick-off a charity challenge for Maggie's to raise funds and awareness of the work they do.

So far, the pair have walked 50 miles in September and the family are also planning to do a 10K in December dressed as elves. A total of £2,000 has been raised up to now.

Michael met Irena at the Ballroom and Lynn said it was "love at first sight" for the couple.

They went on to have a son and daughter, Paul and Lynn, two grandchildren, Lauren and Kelsey, and two great-grandchildren, Holly and Nathan.

Reflecting on Michael's funeral, Lynn said: "I still feel very emotional. I got to speak and the service was a humanist celebration.

"The man who led it got my dad spot-on.

"We're still going on for mum but that's getting hard as she needs 24-hour assistance now.

"It's hard but every day is a wee blessing.

"I would like to give a mention to the Co-op funeral directors, they were absolutely brilliant and it's so sad that they have to do it all again when my mum passes."

Michael worked with the MoD Police before moving on to a post with the mobile library service.

"The whole community is in shock by what's happened because he is well known," Lynn said.

"The amount of cards we have coming through the door is amazing as is people's generosity.

"It's like living in a nightmare though. We thought dad would make it until December so it all happened so quickly."