THE mother of a six-year-old Greenock boy tragically killed in a car accident today told how her family is trying to cope as the first anniversary of his death approaches.

Robbie Quigg was knocked down in Cumberland Road last October, and died a few hours later in hospital.

Now his mum and dad Michelle and Robert are raising money for the Brightest Star, a charity which helps bereaved parents.

A special night will be held in Greenock on October 29, exactly one year after Robbie passed away.

The proceeds will go towards buying a family ambulance that will be big enough to transport parents along with a child who is being rushed to hospital in an emergency.

The cause is close to the family’s heart after they suffered the agony of not being able to be by their son’s side as he was taken for treatment due to the size of the ambulance that attended.

Michelle said: “We wanted to mark the anniversary by doing something for other people in a similar situation to ourselves.

“The Brightest Star has been a great help to us. They have a dedicated counsellor who you can talk to, and what they have done for us has been amazing.

“They’ve been a great comfort and support to us all.

“One of the things they’re trying to do is get a big ambulance. It made it harder for us because we couldn’t go in the vehicle with Robbie to hospital, and this is something that other families have also had to go through. We want to try and change that.”

The charity estimate the ambulance could cost around £160,000 and would be fitted with extra seats. It is hoped to have it on the road early next year, covering the west of Scotland.

Michelle said that arranging a charity night was helping her cope as the anniversary of the tragedy nears.

She said: “Robbie’s accident was such a shock. You just get through every day but it seems to gets harder all the time rather than easier.

“We’re trying to keep busy as the anniversary itself approaches.”

Michelle, 33, a hairdresser, and Robert, 32, an engineer, have two other children – Jai, four, and Ella, two, right.

Family and friends are helping them organise the charity night, which will see raffle prizes being handed out by Robbie’s friends from St Andrew’s Boys’ Club while wearing their football strips.

The football theme will continue with some of the prizes, which will include a tour of Celtic Park for four people and tickets for an Old Firm match between Celtic and Rangers.

Many other companies have also been keen to offer support, with raffle goodies such as a garden fence, portraits and restaurant, shop and hotel vouchers.

The charity night will be in Harwoods from 7.30pm. Tickets are priced £5 and are available by contacting Michelle on Facebook or emailing chelle83@hotmail.co.uk