A north-east great-grandmother who raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity has died aged 72.
Flo Lawrence from Fraserburgh was diagnosed with heart failure on the first week of April and her family received the sad news from doctors they “couldn’t do anything for her”.
Her husband, Robbie Lawrence said: “It was her wish to see our 48th wedding anniversary on May 5. She she died at home 10 days later.”
Mrs Lawrence is perhaps best remembered for her dedication to raising money for charity.
She organised a number of fundraisers for different causes, staging ladies darts competitions, selling raffle tickets for events and organising an annual dance in the legion.
“Everyone in Fraserburgh knew her,” Mr Lawrence said.
“She must have raised about £100,000 for charity, but we did loose count after a few years.
“She’d go round to the Watermill bar and Tony Thomas never let her leave without rounding up her collections if she was short of a whole figure.
“Nobody could ever refuse her.”
Her dedication to raising money for charity started in the early 90s after a close friend died of breast cancer.
In over 20 years, Mrs Lawrence raised money for life-saving equipment for Fraserburgh Hospital, the United Reformed Church where she was a member, and for Imogen Miller, a local girl who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
When she wasn’t fundraising, Mrs Lawrence “devoted her time to her grandchildren”.
Mr Lawrence said: “She loved spending time with her family and looking after the grandchildren when they were young.”
Daughter Tracy Cowie added: “Mum was loved by so many people. She was a proud granny of seven and great granny of two.”
Mrs Lawrence was nominated for the Fraerburgh Citizen of the Year Award between October 2003 and September 2004 for her fundraising efforts and also won the Granny in a Million competition after being nominated by her oldest grandson.
Her funeral was private due to government guidelines, but Mr Lawrence said: “People stood outside on the street and gave her a round of applause. It was just unbelievable.”
A number of Fraserburgh residents are now calling for a memorial or a street to be named after her to mark her legacy.
