Family and friends raise £34,000 for charity in memory of 'warm and generous' Edinburgh woman
Barbara’s friends and family took on the Kiltwalk challenge to raise money for Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh
The friends and family of a beloved Edinburgh woman have raised over £34,000 after the group came together in her memory to take on this year’s Kiltwalk.
Barbara MacKenzie, known to her loved ones as “Babs”, died in July from an aggressive form of cancer at the age of just 42.
Described by her family as warm, generous and determined, Barbara had taken on several fundraising challenges of her own, including completing the 26.2 mile MoonWalk to raise money to support people affected by cancer.
While receiving treatment for the disease, Barbara and her partner Nik were supported by Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh, an NHS Lothian Charity Cancer Fund.
As well as providing practical help, the charity made it possible for the pair to get married in the hospital surrounded by friends and family.
After she died, her husband Nik was determined to give something back, and in a matter of weeks mobilised “Team Babs” to take part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk.
A 70-strong group of Barbara’s friends and family set off from Victoria Park on the Wee Wander route to Murrayfield Stadium, all wearing matching t-shirts printed with a photo of her wearing a tartan dress.
Each person carried a sunflower, the flower that made up the bouquet at Babs’ and Nik’s wedding.
When participants finished the walk, some of the flowers were taken back to Barbara’s ward at the Western General.
Overall, the group raised £34,000 for the cancer charity.
"Having experienced the amazing support from the team at FACE first-hand, we know that every donation will help bring comfort, support and moments of joy to the next person and family going through some of the darkest days of their lives,” said Nik.
“That's exactly the kind of legacy Babs would have wanted to leave behind, and one she would have been incredibly proud of."
Tumong Edwards, community fundraiser at NHS Lothian Charity, said: "It was an honour to support Nik and Team Babs alongside our NHS Lothian Charity: FACE volunteers.
“We are incredibly grateful to them all for coming together so quickly to celebrate Babs’ life in this way whilst raising money to ensure our staff in cancer services can provide the ‘little things’ that make such an impact during challenging and difficult times.
“We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to mark the life of someone who had touched so many people’s lives and will continue to do so with this special tribute."