An Inverness schoolgirl is aiming to raise more than £10,000 for research into a debilitating condition after the death of her grandmother.
Melissa Robertson began fundraising in November last year after he grandmother Betty Robertson, 68, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
Sadly Mrs Robertson died on June 1, with Melissa’s campaign already having raised more than £5,000.
Now the committed Cradlehall Primary pupil has decided to press on with her efforts, setting herself a target of raising more than £10,000.
The campaign began with a coffee morning at the family home in the Westhill area of the city, with an aim of raising about £200.
But the event actually went on collect an impressive £3,859.
The 11-year-old then went on to take the target past £5,000 by running the Inverness Fun Run 5k race, setting up an online fundraising page and hosting charity events with her friends.
Melissa’s family said her grandmother “would have loved to have seen her granddaughter’s achievement”.
Donations raised at the church service following Mrs Robertson’s death helped push the total to £7,296.
The money is to be donated to Motor Neurone Disease Scotland, which raises money for research into the wasting condition and care for people diagnosed with it.
Melissa’s father Scott Robertson said: “Not to be disheartened Melissa’s determination says she will continue on raising funds and awareness of the MND disease in memory of her granny.
“Melissa has now set her goal to reach £10,000. She just wants to continue to raise funds in helping fund research in achieving a cure and help improve lives of people and families suffering from MND disease.”
Motor neurone disease is a relatively rare condition which damages the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and wasting.
There is no known cure.
The condition has been brought into public focus recently with high profile cases such as former Rangers footballer Fernando Ricksen, South African rugby player Joost van der Westhuizen and Scottish Labour researcher Gordon Aikman, who has raised awareness and money through his Gordon’s Fightback campaign.
