Easter Ross woman’s legacy lives on with poignant Race for Life tribute
THE memory of a much-loved Easter Ross woman who succumbed to a brave five-year battle with cancer has been honoured in a way that will benefit others.
And friends of the late Lorraine MacDonald say that’s a fitting tribute to a mum who always put others first and did her bit to help fight the disease.
Remembered by many in Tain for her work behind the customer service desk at the local Tesco, Lorraine passed away in the company of her son Kyle, and daughter Michaela, in July last year.
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She was laid to rest in her home village of Balintore after passing away aged just 57.
This year, many work colleagues at Tesco Tain joined members of Lorraine’s family for the Race for Life, an event she herself also supported valiantly in her lifetime.
It was also attended by Lorraine’s parents Donnie and Margaret, who were proudly waiting for everyone at the finishing line.
For several years, Lorraine and her colleagues would take part in the nationwide event, which raises money for work carried out by Cancer Research UK.
Her friend Ceri Cattanach, also well known at Tain Tesco, admitted this year’s event would be a hard one, being the first without Lorraine by her side.
But well-wishers rallied to help raise a “phenomenal” sum of £8537 through a variety of events.
Lorraine’s daughter Michaela and her brother Graham held a bake day at their workplaces to boost the total.
Ceri said later: “We are all just blown away by everyone’s generosity, especially the times we are living in. Our customers at Tesco Tain either put donations in the buckets or sponsored staff members.”
She said the star of the Race for Life day was ‘pawsome’ dog Roy who took part in his first ever event to honour his ‘granny’. Short legs or not, Roy stole many hearts on the day.
Following Lorraine’s passing, a store colleague described her as “a friendly face working on our customer service desk, always willing to go above and beyond to ensure her customers left happy”, adding that “her loss has been felt in store, not just as a colleague but as a dear friend to so many. She is dearly missed by the whole team in store.”
Over the year, the Tesco Store plans different fundraisers to raise funds for the Highland Hospice for the lifeline service that it offers.
The fundraising page remains open at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/ceris-race-for-life-2437
