The widow of a north-east man who died of a rare cancer has raised thousands of pounds for the hospice that looked after him in his final days.
Tom Bruce, of Stonehaven, died last Monday after a two-year battle with pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) in Roxburghe House, Aberdeen, with his family by his side.
It was one of his final wishes that – upon his death – something be given back to the palliative care unit, which offers patients and their families support.
His wife Patricia set up a JustGiving page with the hope of raising £10,000 for the centre – but thanks to the generosity of friends, family and strangers touched by Mr Bruce’s story, she has already smashed her target.
So far just under £15,000 has been raised in the space of a week, on top of the £2,898 collected at the oil and gas operation manger’s funeral last Wednesday.
Last night Mrs Bruce said she was overwhelmed at the support – and admitted she wished she could call her husband to tell him the news.
The mother-of-two – who now hopes to volunteer at Roxburghe House – said: “I have no words to express it, it shows how people care about Tom.
“I was brave because when we were doing the page I said ‘you know what, lets go for £10,000’. Then within 24 hours it reached 60% of that.
“The people at Roxburghe are amazing. It is a lot more than a hospice. It is a great place.
“They look after you, it is amazing what they do for the patients and the families.
“It was way more than we were expecting. I know that he would have been so happy. I kind of want to give him a call and tell him.”
Brazilian Mrs Bruce met her husband in 1999 when his work brought him to Macea, and they had two children together – seven-year-old Melanie and Daniel, one.
A celebration of Mr Bruce’s life will be held at Fetteresso Church, Stonehaven on August 24, which would have been his 44th birthday.
To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/Thomas-Bruce3