Nurse’s birthday party helps charity

A Moray nurse marked a milestone birthday by raising more than £1,400 for a children’s charity that improves life for youngsters undergoing cancer treatment.

Gemma Anderson, who lives near Alves, enjoyed a 30th birthday party at the Loft in Forres and asked guests to donate to Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation.

Proceeds from the bar and raffle made £1,444.41, which will go to the legacy charity founded in memory of Elgin teenager Abbie Main.

Abbie died on Christmas Day 2017 after living with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, for more than four years.

Ms Anderson said she was inspired by Abbie’s story and the good work done out in her name.

She said: “I am

“It’s good to see how the money you donate is used”

an advanced nurse practitioner and work with Abbie’s auntie Angela, so that’s how I got to know about the charity.

“It is good to see how the money you donate is used, and how it goes towards children doing activities where you can actually see them enjoying themselves.”

She added: “I thought using a birthday party to fundraise for charity was a great idea, especially after seeing how much money has been raised.”

It is not the first time Ms Anderson has used her birthday celebrations for a good deed, as she hosted a party for her 21st that raised more than £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation is dedicated to spreading cheer to children undergoing challenges due to cancer, by giving out gifts and grants to them.

The donations are known as “sparkles” and the group has distributed about 200 since being formed.