A GREENOCK woman has dyed her hair bright pink in memory of her mum who sadly lost a battle against breast cancer.

Amanda Downie, 35, was devastated when her mother Rae Collins passed away after being diagnosed with the deadly disease.

As a special tribute to the person she described as her ‘best pal’, Amanda is in the pink to raise money for the Breast Cancer Care organisation.

Amanda, who lives with husband Jim and their two children Struan, 23 months, and four-year-old Caitlin in Brisbane Street, hopes friends, family and colleagues will back her fundraising mission.

She said: “My mum spent 18 months battling breast cancer then she went into remission in 2008.

“But the cancer came back in 2009 and she died on 21 December 2010.

“Throughout her battle she tried really hard to stay upbeat and tried really hard to battle it.” Amanda says her mum, who would’ve turned 70 on 1 October, would have loved her pink hair.

She said: “During my period of trying to be a rebellious daughter I dyed my hair bright purple.

“My mum loved it and despite trying to convince me to do it again for many years I never did.

“October is breast cancer awareness month and the 1st October was also my mum’s birthday, so in memory of her, I decided to dye my hair bright pink for the whole month, in the hope that the kind, generous people of Inverclyde will support me in my quest and donate to a very worthwhile charity so close to my heart.” Amanda, who works as a senior countryside ranger, hopes to raise £250, which would fund a Breast Cancer Care hospital information point for a year.

She added: “This means that people with breast cancer, and their family and friends, can access the latest resources when visiting the clinic.” She was keen to thank Ailish Medinelli at George Square Hair and Beauty in Union Street for dying her hair.

Amanda added: “Instead of accepting money they donated money to my cause, which was lovely.” Anyone who would like to donate should go to Amanda’s online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/amandadownie78 or text PHBC78 and the amount pledged to 70070.