Lainie inspires family’s fundraisers

AN ANNANDALE family has gone above and beyond raising over £12,000 to honour a much missed loved one.

Lorraine Graham (Lainie) was well known throughout Gretna and Annan and the farming community prior to her death in October after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2024.

Since her passing Lainie’s friends and family have taken up several fundraisers in her memory, raising £12,271 for three charities in the process.

Her family said: “Lainie is much missed by all of us, so that’s why everybody got together and decided to do something in her name, and fundraise for these amazing charities that were so supportive during her illness.”

A collection started by husband Jock and Lainie’s immediate family raised £2000 for Maggie’s, a cancer charity that provides free emotional and practical support to people with cancer, and their friends and families, through its centres and online services, as well as £1500 the region’s community nursing team.

Best friends Heather Magney, Cheryl Redpath and Anne Batey also got involved, taking a daily squat challenge throughout September and raising £2615 for Brain Tumour Research.

Throughout her life Lainie was involved in the running of her family’s farm at Chapelknowe. In recognition of that, her son David arranged a lamb sale, asking friends and neighbouring farmers to donate a lamb and raising £3500.

The latest effort came in October from nieces Abbey and Nicole Ritchie who put their best feet forward for the Great Scottish Run half marathon, adding £2656 to the growing pot.

Reflecting on their fundraising efforts, the family added: “We would like to thank everyone who kindly donated to Maggie’s and the community nurses.

“Also a big thanks to everyone for their efforts in fundraising for Brain Tumour Research.”