THE devastated friend of a woman who passed away from breast cancer has paid tribute to her by launching a fundraiser for the grieving family.
Hayley Sutherland, 34, passed away last month after battling an aggressive form of breast cancer for the last three years. Diagnosed when she was just 31, her best friend Lynsey Robertson has launched the fundraiser in order to ensure the family, who live in Clarkston are provided for following her best friend’s tragic passing.
READ MORE: Brave mum to help others amid cancer diagnosis
It is hoped that the funds will cover the final costs for Hayley’s funeral expenses as well as providing a trust fund for the two daughters she leaves behind, Jessie, 4, and Georgie, 2, as well as her partner Kyle. The work situation for Kyle now looks uncertain as he becomes a single father to two young children.
Things took a turn for the worse for Hayley this year and she was rushed to hospital. Doctors told the family that there were no other options which Lynsey described as “devastating.”
She said: “One day, they said there was nothing more they could do for her. This was a huge shock for the family and for myself. There wasn’t time for goodbyes and there wasn’t time for preparing the two little girls or for leaving behind letters. It was just so sad.”
Lynsey has described Hayley as a “stunning, selfless” woman.
She added: “She was a gift to us all, I know it sounds like a cliche, but she really was selfless. She just did everything for everyone else.”
They met at college in 2008 and went through university together, moving into a small flat in Dundee after discovering their common interest in a famous Scots band.
“We connected over a shared love for Biffy Clyro, we were obsessed with Simon Neil. Ever since we realised we both loved Biffy, that was it, we were going to gig after gig.”
“We both loved Glasgow so much. Sauchiehall Street, the ABC, gigs, King Tuts - they were our places and that was it - we both ended up moving to Glasgow.”
“She wasn’t just my best friend but she was like my sister. She was just this person who was always there.”
Lynsey is hoping to remember Hayley at her wedding which will be taking place this summer.
“Hayley was to be my maid of honour this August. Right up until before she died, she was on WhatsApp organising my hen do because that’s what she did, she organised people’s hen dos and baby showers. I’m going to ask Jessie and Georgie to be my flower girls at the wedding this weekend.”
She has also encouraged women, particularly young women, to check their breasts regularly and go for their smear tests.
Lynsey added: “It needs to go out there. My mum had breast cancer and she survived. My other friend had cervical cancer that spread. I just feel like it’s everywhere and the more we’re aware it’s like knowledge is power.”
Those wishing to contribute to the fundraiser can do so here.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here