A WEE COUNTY woman gave it her all to help raise funds for a hospice that will be set-up in memory of her son-in-law.

Liam McLaughlin, formerly of Tillicoultry, passed away in Perth, Australia, last March following a two-year battle with brain cancer.

His wife Kate has embarked on a quest to create a purpose-built facility that will give people hope during a time it is desperately needed.

In support of this plan, her mum Linda Riddock took on a mammoth fundraising challenge at The Peak in Stirling, which saw her cover 96 lengths in the pool.

The feat took place on Friday, October 13, as well as the following Monday and Wednesday. The latter, October 18, would have been Liam's thirty-first birthday.

Linda, 56, who also completed an hour in the gym each day, said: "Kate has a dream of creating a fantastic facility – one where patients can have all their needs met; one where families can visit and have fun together; a place where the atmosphere is full of hope and positivity.

"Liam spent some time in a hospice before passing away and Kate simply felt that Perth is lacking a little hope in a place and time where hope is what families need.

"This is not going to be an easy task, but my daughter is determined and hardworking and strong willed enough to do it.

"This challenge is only a small push in the right direction, I want to help Kate get the project off the ground and get her ideas and dreams rolling."

Linda, from Alloa, decided that rather than feeling down, which she said Liam would not have wanted, she set out to do something.

She worked hard in the run up to her challenge with the support of gym instructor Jackie Govan and has smashed her original £500 target.

In December 2012, Liam and his family had moved to Perth to start a new chapter of their life.

However, early in 2015 he was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma multiform brain cancer.

The palliative care overseas was not what they had been familiar with in Scotland, so Kate has taken on an admirable challenge in Liam's memory.

The mum-of-two is raising funds to build a hospice in Perth that will allow patients and families to get the support they might need.

Liam spent his last few months in and out of physio, hospital, counselling and hospice care; inspiring Kate's ambition to establish a centre that will have everything under the one roof.

It is an important goal for the family and is a fitting tribute to a man who touched the hearts of many.

Linda said: "He was just such a fun-loving, happy go lucky, help everybody else rather than himself guy – that's just what he was and who he was."

The family are further motivated to give something back to Australia, following the huge outpouring of support Kate received.

The fundraising page for Linda's challenge is still open – donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lindariddock