Daughter's last request is met

AN Easter Ross woman who lost two members of her family to cancer will this weekend honour her daughter’s last wishes.

Community activist Sadie McGougan (73) had, along with her daughter Caroline, planned a fundraising tribute for the carers who helped nurse her late husband Malcolm through his final months.

Tain-based Sadie was forced to put those plans on hold when Caroline took ill and succumbed to an aggressive form of the disease last year.

Despite the devastating blow, Sadie is now preparing to make good on a pledge to her daughter to press ahead with the Marie Curie fundraiser they planned.

The retired care home worker has, over the years, raised thousands for a variety of good causes.

A sale of work and raffle at the Duthac Centre this Saturday will be in tribute to her loved ones. Her husband was well known locally, having worked for Scottish Water, played in bands and run Fearn Thistle FC for a number of years.

Sadie said: "In January 2012, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a major operation. A month later I suffered a heart attack and so our daughter Caroline decided to give up her career of 27 years in the RAF.

"After two years, Malcolm’s cancer had returned to his chest, lungs and throat so we made the decision to keep him at home with help from Marie Curie, the community nurses and the NHS carers, who were all marvellous.

"Marie Curie care for the ill at night so family members can have a rest.

"There were nights when they were unable to due to a lack of carers and lack of funds.

"We were lucky that Caroline and myself were able to share these nights but not all families are as able so more funds are needed."

The family lost Malcolm in January of 2015 and planned a fundraiser for Marie Curie the following year by way of thanks.

However, that was postponed when Sadie was forced to have a hip operation and then again in January last year when Caroline died within weeks of the devastating cancer diagnosis.

Sadie, who worked for 20 years as a carer at Duthac House and now volunteers at the local health centre in Tain, said her daughter was adamant about her final request. She described Caroline, who served in Iraq and had herself raised funds for the charity Help for Heroes, as an amazing, strong woman. Caroline served as a Samaritan wherever she was based and always made an effort to help others.

Sadie, who turns 74 this year and has had her own health setbacks to contend with, admits that her "fundraising may have to slow down a bit now". That hasn’t stopped her backing drives to buy much-needed medical equipment locally.

The Duthac Centre sale in Tain to benefit Marie Curie will be held this Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Sadie’s Marie Curie fundraiser has already got off to a great start with donations worth £500 from well-wishers.

She said: "I hope people will come along and help a very worthwhile cause which is needed locally."