A DUNFERMLINE family handed over more than £37,000 to the Fife Health charity in memory of their late wife, mother and grandmother.

Lynne Braisby passed away in December 2022 at the age of 63 after a battle with lung and liver cancer.

Her family, husband Billy and sons William and Fraser, gave the donation to the charity after she was cared for by Fife’s specialist palliative care service in the latter stages of her life.

The cash – which included a significant contribution from the Mary Leishman Foundation as Lynne and Mary were close friends for many years – was raised at a fundraising evening at the Glen Pavilion in February.

The family decided to fundraise after seeing the kindness and compassion shown to Lynne's three grandchildren before and after she had passed away.

READ MORE: Charity fundraiser in memory of Lynne Braisby

They were particularly touched after the kids were each given a cuddly toy by the specialist palliative care team before their grandmother’s passing, with smaller versions of each cuddly toy remaining with Lynne after her death.

This initiative – called ‘Continuing Bonds’ – was introduced by the specialist palliative care service.

The Braisby family decided to fundraise to help the charity continue to provide cuddly toys for many more children who lose loved ones to life-limiting illnesses.

So successful were their efforts that the money will also enable the purchase of a ‘cuddle bed’, which allows patients to have a loved one remain with them, and even lie next to them, to offer reassurance while in the hospice.

A statement from the Braisby's said: “We were grateful for the support both Lynne and the family received from the hospice team throughout what was an extremely difficult period.

READ MORE: What next as historic city centre building goes back on the market

“The memory soft toys the children received were such a touching gesture of support that we felt that it was an appropriate area of fundraising.

"With the superb support from friends and family and generous donations received the event exceeded well beyond our wildest expectations, thus enabling us to additionally support the purchase of a cuddle bed.”

Fife Health Charity aims to improve wellbeing through funding projects and initiatives that are not normally funded by the NHS.

Director Mark McGeachie said: “We are incredibly grateful to Mrs Braisby’s family and want to offer our most heartfelt thanks for their fundraising efforts.

“The specialist palliative care team, like all healthcare services in Fife, work to provide a high standard of care to patients, and to support their loved ones through often the most difficult of times.

“Donations such as this enables the charity to support those on the frontline, helping to enhance the care offered to patients and families through the funding of projects like Continuing Bonds that benefit the people of Fife.”