The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Memorial fund to tragic Ruby passes £4,000
Memorial crowdfunder beats target within hours of ‘wee angel’s’ death
More than £4,000 has poured into a crowdfunding campaign for a memorial to tragic Angus youngster Ruby Walker.
The Arbroath 10-year-old passed away in Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary at the weekend having succumbed to sepsis fewer than six months after undergoing a long-awaited double lung transplant at the north-east city’s Freeman Hospital.
Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just weeks old, Ruby was then struck by a viral condition that badly damaged her lungs, leaving her reliant on oxygen.
Her courageous fight against the difficulties she encountered during her young life were an inspiration to her family, friends and the local community and her sudden death has generated hundreds of tributes to the “wee angel”.
Ruby’s mum, Diane Boyd, revealed the heartbreaking moment her daughter’s life support machine was switched off at the weekend, a few short weeks after the Hayshead Primary School pupil had returned to the classroom to be with her P6 pals.
A Ruby’s Dreams Facebook page that was initially set up with the aim of helping the tot meet her pop favourite Olly Murs – a bucket list dream that came true when he sent her a personal video message and then met the Angus youngster at his Glasgow concert – helped launch the Justgiving crowdfunder that has already rocketed through its target.
The money is to be used for a headstone for Ruby following her funeral, arrangements for which have yet to be made, and a memorial to the youngster.
An initial £2,000 target was passed within hours of the page being launched, and almost 250 people have now helped surpass the revised total of £4,000.
Ruby has been described as “an inspiration” by many of those who have already supported the fund.
Surplus donations will go towards the charities and organisations which helped Ruby throughout her life.
Mum Diane regularly spoke of her admiration for the work of medical staff in Tayside, Edinburgh and Newcastle who were involved in Ruby’s care, particularly in the crucial period from the end of last year when she became critically ill after one of her damaged lungs collapsed.
The family and those associated with Ruby have said they hope people will think about the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust following her passing, as well as Jeans for Genes day, an annual UK fundraiser that aims to help half a million youngsters living with a life-altering genetic disorder.