Patient sends out appeal for help with fundraising

Former firefighter wants to give hospice a facelift

A former fire service officer suffering from pancreatic cancer is spending his time trying to help others.

Tom Reid wants to give something back to the Victoria Hospice, where he recently received treatment.

He hopes to raise funds to improve the windows and doors on to the Kirkcaldy hospice’s gardens, which received a £40,000 facelift, making them wheelchair accessible.

However, during his time as a patient, Mr Reid noticed the wood and metalwork on the door and window frames also needed some care.

Now the former firefighter is putting his own desperately sad situation to one side to help again.

The father of two, grandfather of four and great-grandfather of seven, knows time is of the essence.

“The doors are basically needing a bit of maintenance and are sticking and I hoped someone would help, because the garden is absolutely beautiful,” he said.

Mr Reid, who has been married for 54 years to Myra, is putting a donation in himself and hopes others will follow suit or that Fifers with the skills needed can provide help in kind.

“I have so much respect for the doctors and nurses and people who work in the hospice,” he said.

“I am sure people are greatly impressed by the work which has been done, but the frames have been damaged and badly need maintained.”

Mr Reid, who started out married life in Leven before moving to Kennoway 28 years ago with his wife, is unsure how to fundraise or ask for help.

He added: “Because of my health, this is very urgent for me and I really want to get this done in the next four weeks.

“It is just something I feel I would like to do.”

If anyone can help Mr Reid, they can contact him via

“Because of my health, this is very urgent for me and I really want to get this done in the next four weeks.

TOM REID

Picture: George McLuskie. Myra and Tom Reid.