A VITAL support service for grieving children has received a special donation in memory of a much loved Port Glasgow woman.

The Gault family collected over £5,000 for Ardgowan Hospice as a special tribute to Sandra Gault, a devoted wife, mum, grandmother and mother-in-law, who sadly passed away on November 8 last year.

Part of the money raised has been used by the family to help the hospice Butterfly Project - which helps children between the ages of two and 18 to cope with the difficult times they face following the death of a loved one.

They have purchased an iPad and other items such as books.

Sandra's daughter Louise, a Greenock based professional photographer, says her family have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown by the local community who have rallied round to support their sponsored walk, quiz night and online donation fund.

Louise said: "The total amount we raised is £5,537.

"We are blown away.

"We would like to say a massive thanks to everyone who has donated in any way shape or form - we couldn’t have reached this awesome target without you all."

Louise and her family said they were keen to use some of the money to support the hospice's Butterfly Project.

She said: "We wanted to do this because we saw what our nieces and nephews went through so we know how amazing the support is.

"We also felt that buying items such as the iPad was more tangible for the children rather than presenting a cheque."

Some of the other items the family bought included special memory boxes and bottles as well as crafts and special books.

The family are keen to thank their friends and family for their support as well as local businesses especially local caterer Tony Buckley whose kind donation of a table for 10 at a town hall bash helped raise £590, and Elaine Campbell who owns the Eclipse hair salon.