A DUNFERMLINE tots group has raised more than £2500 to help save the lives of babies and support bereaved families.

Amy Donlan, 31, celebrated the first birthday of her city Tots Play classes recently and marked it by raising money for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity, Sands, alongside her customers, family, and friends.

Even some of the toddlers who attend the group got involved - carrying out challenges at home with their parents to complete a certain number exercises learned during sessions.

Amy, who switched from a career in marketing to running classes two days a week in order to spend more time with her daughter, Eilidh, said: "The little ones did sponsored activities at home which their parents chose.

"For example, an eight-month-old would do eight minutes a day for a week and so on.

"I think it was £1000 we raised from the sponsors.

"It means a lot to me to do it for Sands, a few of my customers have shared things and have lost a baby at birth or shortly after and have been involved with Fife Sands.

"I wanted it to mean something for my customers."

Amy started with just two classes per week but now runs nine between St Leonard's Church on Mondays and Duloch Leisure Centre on Fridays.

She held special jungle-themed sessions, inspired by the group's mascot - a monkey toy named Totsy-, to help celebrate her first anniversary in the last week.

And she says it is the community spirit developed through her classes which allowed her to raise such a significant amount for Sands, with many of the parents having grown close with each other due to time spent at Tots Play.

She added: "I knew I would meet a lot of people doing this, but I didn't know I would meet so many friends.

"Some of the parents have been coming for the whole year.

"I think I've grown quite quickly compared to what I anticipated, I gave up a stable job to enjoy more time with my daughter and she'll be two next month.

"Most classes are full and I am taking the time now and enjoying spending the time with my little girl."

The group caters for children from birth until they reach school age and more information can be found by visiting Tots Play website.