A BRAVE ex-nurse from Dalmellington and her family have been fundraising to raise money for Breast Cancer Now after receiving a devastating diagnosis in the family earlier this year.

Marny Murphy, who is well-known in the community for her work promoting animal welfare, particularly that of rabbits, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in February, and is now taking every opportunity to urge other women to get checked.

Throughout August, Marny held two garden tea parties, one in Dalmellington and the other in Cumnock, where a tombola, a raffle, a craft table with homemade and donated items and a ‘guess the name’ and ‘guess the birthday’ helped to raise an incredible £1,090 for the cancer charity.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Marny’s sons, Gary and Martin Murphy, also got involved, taking on a sponsored head shave and Ben Nevis climb in support of their much-loved mum, who started a four-week stint of radiotherapy at the Beatson last week.

On his trek, son Gary, 41, said: “It wasn’t that difficult as I’m quite active with my work. I’d never done Ben Nevis before but I felt really good after I completed it. It’s something I’ll continue doing more of. For us to get to Ben Nevis, the management of my company, Robinsons Group in Lockerbie, donated a van which was great.

“We had a few breaks on the way up but got there in just under four hours. We went up in a team of six or seven. My brother does walking in the community so he brought a few of his walking team, too. It was good to have that advice and experience and it generated a bit more money.

“We also met ex-Rangers player Marvin Andrews halfway up. With me being a Rangers fan, I was glad I had my Rangers top on. You couldn’t meet a nicer person, he was still taking photos with people half an hour after we passed him. It was good to have that for morale.”

Cumnock Chronicle:

Gary’s efforts earned an impressive £350 in donations, and along with brother Martin’s total of £135, the family have amassed a cool £,1735 to hand over altogether.

Gary added: “My mum is the closest person out of everyone to me to have got cancer. She’s so head strong. To see the strength in her, it’s unreal.”

On the success of the tea parties, Marny said: “Dalmellington was slow in starting off but in the end there was a great turnout. Cumnock was all go all day up to about 1pm.

“A huge thanks to Nicola Moore of N.M Photography who took the photos in Dalmellington and Isobel Shaw who took the Cumnock ones.

“Local councillor Jacqui Todd also showed up which was very nice of her.”

For more information about breast cancer, call Breast Cancer Now for free on 0808 800 6000.