Angus woman’s lifesaving op fund hits target

TRANSPLANT: Montrose mum sends out rallying call to help her best friend

An Angus woman’s battle to raise enough money for a lifesaving transplant for her best friend has been successful.

Bekki Smith-Dutton cried tears of joy when she realised the five-figure target had been reached with just days to go until the operation.

The Montrose mum sent out a rallying call to the public after her “soul sister” Riekie Cloete was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia which leaves her with just a one in 100,000 chance of survival.

A bone marrow match was found in Germany for South Africa-based nurse Riekie but her medical aid does not cover foreign donor matches and the cost of the procedure was £15,000.

Around £3,000 had been raised before Bekki shared her story with The Courier just a week ago which sparked a huge surge of donations to Riekie’s fund.

Bekki, owner of Cloud 9 hair and beauty salon in Arbroath, said she was “so happy” after the total was finally reached on Saturday.

“We made it,” she said. “I can’t believe it.

“I’m so happy and just want to thank everyone who donated money to the appeal.”

She said she was overwhelmed by the support from the community.

The pair have been friends for 15 years since they travelled the world together working in cruise ship spas.

Riekie, 39, mum to Carla, 8, and HenRoux, 5, is currently receiving chemotherapy and blood platelets while she waits for the transplant.

Riekie and her family spoke to Bekki and fellow fundraisers on Saturday via Skype and also recorded a special video message.

Riekie said: “We as a family would really like to thank you for all of your contributions to my bone marrow fund and for helping me reach the target.

“The Scottish people have been really amazing and I really appreciate it.”

In a message to the people of Angus, Riekie’s daughter Carla said: “Thank you for helping make my mummy better.”

Riekie is currently under the care of a leading haematologist in Pretoria.

She will continue chemotherapy for two months until the operation date.

The donor cells will be transported from Germany to South Africa for the procedure. gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Andy Thompson. Bekki Smith-Dutton, with her daughter Rudy, has raised £15,000 for her friend to have a potentially life-saving operation.