A charity ball will be held in Aberdeen this spring in memory of a “devoted” mum and head teacher.
Caroline Thomson died last year after bravely battling cancer for 18 months – while remaining at the helm of Cornhill Primary School in Aberdeen.
The 38-year-old, of Portlethen, continued working – and volunteering for Childline – throughout her treatment, only stepping back once the disease spread to her brain.
Mrs Thomson, who was married to David and proud mum to Callum, 13, and Robbie, 10 died last January.
Since then, her loved ones have raised more than £25,000 in her name for Clan and Brain Tumour Action.
Now her sister Shona Gossip is organising a dinner dance to ensure both charities can continue their vital work supporting families affected by cancer and researching the disease.
The Ruby Ball will be held at Pittodrie on March 3 – to coincide with what would have been Mrs Thomson’s 40th birthday weekend.
Guests will enjoy a drinks reception, a three-course meal and disco. There will also be a raffle and auction, with prizes including a shirt signed by Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Williams memorabilia, tickets to see comedian John Bishop at the O2 in London and a radio presenter experience at Original 106.
Miss Gossip – who along with her brother Alastair and friends abseiled from the Forth Rail Bridge last year as part of a wider fundraising challenge – urged people to get behind the ball and snap up a ticket.
She said: “Although it will be a night for my family to raise a glass for Caroline’s birthday, this is a party for everyone – not just those who knew her. It’s all about raising as much as we can for Clan and Brain Tumour Action.
“I was driving to work one day, and as I passed the turn-off for Cornhill Primary and the hospital, I began to think about Caroline and what my next fundraiser for her could be.
“I did quite a lot of sponsored events last year so didn’t want to ask the same people for money again. The Ruby Ball just popped into my head – I loved the idea of marking her 40th birthday for such a good cause.
“Caroline was one of the most friendly, outgoing and generous people I’ve ever met, so I think she’d like it too.
“She was so philosophical throughout her illness, and just used to say ‘it is what it is’ but one of her biggest fears was being forgotten. Through the Ruby Ball and the amazing fundraising others have been doing, we won’t let that happen.”
Pupils, teachers and parents of Cornhill Primary last year raised £14,000 in memory of Mrs Thomson by carrying out a sponsored walk around Westburn Park.
Friends of Mrs Thomson have also backed the two charities throughout the year, while Miss Gossip ran several 10Ks and completed a 100-mile bike ride before ending her year-long challenge with the bridge abseil.
Tickets for the Ruby Ball are on sale now, priced £49. To find out more, or to buy, visit www.facebook.com/rubyballaberdeen e-mail rubyballaberdeen@gmail.com or call 07515 349890.
