THREE Greenock women who lost their husbands to cancer within months of each other have united to raise over £6,000 in their memories.

Pauline Morrison, her mum Frances Donnachie and her best friend Wilma Farr, were all tragically widowed within the space of just 10 months.

They say their collective grief was the inspiration behind their fundraising drive for Ardgowan Hospice.

Pauline lost her husband William aged just 56, while Frances lost spouse James — Pauline’s dad — after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Wilma also saw her own husband Con die after a brave battle with throat cancer.

Pauline said: “My dad died and then Wilma’s husband died and then my husband died within the space of 10 months.

“The hospice was there for all of us so we just wanted to give something back to them.”

Their ordeal began back in March 2016 when Frances’ husband, James, 84, passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

The widow, of Berwick Road, said: “James was in and out of hospital for a long, long time.

“At one point they kept him in but he pleaded with me to come home. So with the help of my family and my daughters who took time off their work, he did.

“The hospice’s community care nurses were a huge help.”

Frances, who has seven children, 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, says raising money has been a huge comfort to her.

She added: “It makes me feel happy.”

Six months later in September, Wilma Farr, Frances’ neighbour, lost her husband Con to throat cancer.

Wilma said: “Con passed away in the hospice on the September 10 2016.

“The hospice were absolutely brilliant. One of my granddaughters, who had been on holiday, was even allowed to visit him at 5am to say her goodbyes.

“They were a great support.

“They didn’t just look after my husband, they looked after our family too.”

Wilma said the counselling she received also gave her a source of strength.

She added: “That helped a lot. As a group we all wanted to raise money for the cause.”

Just 10 months after losing her dad, Pauline lost her own husband William at the age of just 56.

Pauline, 51,who lives in Banff Road, said: “He had lung cancer and it spread through his body but he was brave right to the end. William was a very quiet man who would do anything for anybody.

“He loved his bookies and his horses.

“He also worked as a seasonal gardener with the council.”
Pauline says the support she received from the hospice was second to none.

She added: “Allison Brown, who is the community nurse specialist, was absolutely amazing.

“She was my lifeline. Even after William passed away she was there for us.”

Since losing their husbands, the women have raised over £6,700 through a series of fundraising events.

Pauline said: “We have organised quite a few things, including a bag pack at Morrisons in Greenock which raised £700.

“Wilma’s daughter then organised a coffee morning at Youth Connections in Burns Square which raised about £250 and we had a race night at the Dockers. We can’t thank everyone enough for their support, there wouldn’t be room in the Tele to fit everyone’s names in as there are so many people who have helped.”

The women are especially keen to thank Morrisons, Youth Connections, Texas Instruments and the Dockers Club for their support.

Pauline added: “I work in Larkfield View Care Home and they have been wonderful and the residents’ families have been so kind in donating money.

“We’re so grateful.”

Maureen McShea, staff nurse at the hospice, says they are overwhelmed by the ladies generous donation.

She said: “We couldn’t function without the generosity of people in this area.

“The people in Inverclyde are absolutely fantastic, they really are.

“For theses ladies to raise that amount of money is amazing.”