FAMILY of a much loved dad have raised over £6,000 for Ardgowan Hospice in his memory

Keen bowler Ronnie Moir passed away 12 years ago at the age of 57 after a battle against pancreatic cancer.

As a special tribute to the devoted dad, loving husband and friend of many, an annual bowling day is played at Greenock's Victoria Bowling Club.

Over the past 12 years, the event has raised £6,740 for the hospice.

Ronnie's wife Liz, who lives in Skelmorlie, said: "Ronnie was a bowler and member at the club in Skelmorlie so his friend Alan Newman thought it would be a nice idea to have a bowling day in memory of him and here we are 12 years later still doing it."

Ronnie passed away in April 2006 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when it was at an advanced stage.

Liz said: "Ronnie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer quite late on.

"So he was seriously ill by the time it was diagnosed."

Liz said the support she and son Craig received from the hospice helped them to cope with their loss.

She told the Tele: "Myself and Craig both went for counselling at the hospice.

"I think it helped us to move on - it made us talk about things that maybe we couldn't talk about with other people.

"There was a lot of anger, I think there's several different stages of grief that you have to go through.

"But the counsellor doesn't suggest things, they just let you talk.

"They were excellent."

Ronnie's friend Alan organises the event at Victoria, where he is a currently a member, treasurer and past president.

The 71-year-old said: "I worked with Ronnie and he was always full of fun and bubbly.

"He liked a good laugh - he was a great guy.

"The bowling day has been a great success and it's lovely to see so may people turn up every year."

Linda Gallacher, who also worked with Ronnie, has been a big supporter of the event, taking on the role of quiz master and chief fundraiser on the day.

The latest event raised over £500 and Alex Mula, from Ardgowan Hospice, thanked everyone involved with the event for an 'amazing' contribution.

He said: "This money could pay for more counselling sessions for someone who is going through a similar situation to what Liz went through."

Liz, who has two grandchildren, Millie, four, and Max, two, said her family including her son Craig, 35, and twin daughters Carol and Fiona, 34, are so thankful for everyone's support over the years.