A Moray mum whose daughter is battling cancer has praised her local Highland League football club for helping to highlight how the disease can affect children.
Gail Paterson issued a plea earlier this year for buildings around Moray to be illuminated in gold, as part of a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of the illness.
Ms Paterson’s daughter, Eileidh, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a high-risk form of childhood cancer, two years ago.
She made an initial recovery from the condition last summer, but relapsed at the beginning of June, and has since been undergoing gruelling chemotherapy treatment to eradicate the illness once more.
The Forres mum was disappointed when it appeared that none of Moray’s landmarks would be lit up as part of the Glow Gold for September scheme.
But she has now discovered that Forres Mechanics FC has made efforts to bathe the back of its main stand – which faces onto the busy A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road – in golden light.
Ms Paterson said: “Everybody travelling along the road will see it, and hopefully, that will inspire people to find out more about childhood cancer.
“That Eileidh’s hometown is backing this is so important and I couldn’t be any prouder of the people of Forres.”
Club committee member, Ian Wood, climbed to the top of the stand to cover its lights in gold film and create the desired effect.
Mr Wood added: “The club colours are chocolate and gold anyway, so it seemed appropriate for us to do something.
“Personally, I think it’s important to raise as much awareness as possible for anything like this.”
Last year, Forres Mechanics players Scott Moore and Simon Allan raised £2,500 by having their legs waxed to help pay for Eileidh to visit America for pioneering treatment.
Yesterday, Ms Paterson revealed she and her daughter had spent most of the past few months at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
She said it was crucial that parents knew how to spot cancer symptoms in their children, so it could be detected early on.
Ms Paterson added: “Children are completely dependent on adults realising something is wrong with them, and knowing what to look out for.”
Marischal College and His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen will also be lit gold from today.
