A FUND set up more than three years ago in memory of a former community champion in Cumnock has reached the end of its lifespan.

The Nan McMurdo Memorial Fund was set up after Nan died in July 2020, and since then has helped many young people both in Cumnock and on Arran.

Originally from New Cumnock, Nan – who moved with her husband Ian from Cumnock to Arran in 2007 – was made an MBE in 2015 in recognition of her services to disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

Nan’s family formed a partnership with Cumnock youth charity YipWorld to use the fund to help young people in the area where she was born and where she lived for most of her life.

But her family say the fund has “finally been exhausted” – though not before helping many families and individuals.

Nan’s husband Ian said: “Despite being confined to a wheelchair for almost 40 years, Nan dedicated a huge part of her life towards helping people who faced a range of difficult challenges in very trying circumstances.

"When the fund was set up, we decided that the monies raised should be used to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people in both the Cumnock area and on Arran.

"Our family is delighted that the fund has managed to help so many families and individuals, and we are certain that Nan herself would have approved.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of those who contributed so generously."

Nan passed away in the summer of 2020, after living a full and happy life despite the many challenges she had to face with long-term serious illness and disability.

She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of just 25, while expecting her first child. 

She lost the ability to walk, and spent more than 40 years of her life confined to a wheelchair.

But she fought back against the debilitating disease and spent almost 30 years as a teacher - combining her professional career with tireless voluntary work on behalf of those in need.

After Nan died, the McMurdo family received a number of enquiries from friends and colleagues asking if she had a favourite charity to which they could contribute, and the family put a lot of thought into how people might honour her memory in a way that she herself would have wished.

When the fund was set up it attracted almost £4,000 in donations in the space of just a few weeks.

YipWorld’s chief executive, Janice Hendry, offered to administer the money donated to the fund, while Arran Community and Voluntary Service also agreed to use the fund to support disadvantaged people on the island Nan called home for the last 13 years of her life.

Janice said: "This has been a wonderful and impactful legacy in memory of Nan.

"In 2022, we used the funds to distribute warm packs to families in need as the cost of living crisis began to bite. This was then recognised by other fundraisers who wanted to give back to the community.

"East Ayrshire Council also provided a grant, which meant a staggering match fund of £7,500 for Nan’s Memorial Fund in 2023.

"There are many families now able to have cosy nights with duvets and hot water bottles, and the legacy continues as we have secured further funding to distribute goods over the 2023/2024 winter period.

"Nan was truly a woman who cared sincerely about those in need, and she would have been extremely humbled. 

“On behalf of everyone at YipWorld and the families we have supported, thank you.”

Sheridan Waldon, development officer of Arran CVS, added: “The Nan McMurdo Memorial Fund has made a real difference to children’s lives.

"Especially during this cost-of-living crisis, many children are missing out on opportunities for personal development and the social connections that this brings.

"Nan’s fund has been invaluable in allowing young people to participate in summer sports camps, the sailing club, swimming lessons and gymnastics coaching, among other very worthwhile initiatives."