Devastated friends pay tribute to 20-year-old

Special online page set up after chef dies following night out

The tragic death of a young woman has left people in Ballingry devastated.

Demi Clarke, 20, is said to have battled for life for three days after collapsing on a night out in Dunfermline with friends on July 2.

The trainee chef was taken to hospital, where she was placed in intensive care.

However, 72 hours later on July 5, she died of organ failure.

Her friend Taylor Thomson has now launched an online fundraising page to help pay for the funeral of the former St Columba’s High School pupil.

Taylor claims Demi’s death was due to the “severe and terrifying consequences” of a suspected drug collapse.

“Demi put up a very tough fight,” she said in her JustGiving tribute to her friend.

“Unfortunately, her organs gave up on her which caused her to pass.”

She described Demi as an outgoing girl who loved socialising with friends.

“Her vibrant personality was infectious and she would never fail to make others around her laugh,” Taylor added.

“Her death truly is a tragedy to all who knew her.”

Taylor said she appreciated the support for “an amazing all-round girl who’s life unfortunately came to an end too soon and for the wrong reasons”.

Donations have already flooded in and more than £600 of a £5,000 target has been raised.

Many donors talk of a lovely, kind and loving girl who always put others first.

Demi graduated from Fife College with an HNC in professional cookery last year and took part in the college’s graduation ceremony in Dunfermline Abbey.

A spokesperson for the college said: “Demi was lovely, a very talented student who was popular with staff and her classmates. Our sympathies and condolences go out to her family and friends at this very sad time.”

Police in Fife are said to be continuing to investigate the unexplained death.

Local councillor Mary Lockhart said people in the area were grieving for the loss of such a young life.

“People here are very, very upset,” she said. “It is another tragic waste of a young life.”

Taylor’s JustGiving page can be found at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ taylor-thomson.

Her death truly isatragedyto all who knew her

Demi Clarke is reported to have died three days after collapsing while on a night out in Dunfermline.