THE heartbroken family of a Greenock man who lost his battle with cancer have vowed to pay back every penny of the cost of his care.

Dad-of-four Robert Blair died last December only five months after his devastating diagnosis.

His daughter Donna Henderson is now hoping to raise a total of £10,000 for Ardgowan Hospice, where her dad spent his last days, so they can pass it on to another family.

Together the family are also fronting the hospice 'Light up a life' Christmas appeal.

Donna, 46, who lives in Port Glasgow, said: "We all miss my dad so much.

"We were devastated when he died.

"Fundraising for the hospice has really helped us all to cope.

"The staff at the hospice are incredible and we could never do enough to thank them for the care they gave my dad.

"He had been unwell and was in and out the Larkfield Unit.

"Eventually he was diagnosed in July last year but the cancer had spread everywhere, we don't even know where it started."

Since Robert passed away on December 6 last year Donna and her family have devoted their time to supporting the hospice.

Her 14-year-old daughter Jessica spoke at a hospice charity ball and moved guests to tears when she talked about her granda and the difference the hospice made at the most difficult time of their lives.

The Port Glasgow High pupil also helped raise £3,000 through her school while Donna, husband William, 46, joined Jessica and youngest daughter Aimee, 12, in the Bubble Rush event in aid of the hospice.

Donna, who arranged a fundraiser in the Greenock Police Club to celebrate Robert's life, a year after he died, said: "My dad was in the hospice for three weeks.

"He wanted to stay at home and didn't want a fuss but he was in so much pain.

"The hospice looked after us all and we wanted to give something back.

"They rely on donations and the care my dad had would have cost £600 a day.

"We wanted to give that back because sadly some other family will need it.

"We want to help those who are going through exactly what we went through."

Donna's colleagues at Arnold Clark Volkswagen recently rallied behind the cause, raising £1,000 with a cycle round Millport, and the car dealership matched the funding.

Donna, a customer support assistant, said: "It means so much to me that my colleagues would do this for me.

"We organise a fundraiser at work every year and always pick a cause close to our hearts.

"The team have been amazing to me throughout all this."

Robert's family will have the honour of switching on the hospice Christmas tree this year and it promises to be poignant moment.

Donna said: "My dad had just died last year but this time we wanted to be part of the service this year.

"It helps us so much.

"My daughters are devastated but they help me and my mum to get through it."

Retired Robert, who worked at the Devol Adult Training Centre, was 68 when he died.

He is survived by his wife Geraldine and children - daughter Donna, sons Billy, Gerald and Robert.

He was also devoted to his eight grandchildren.

The Light Up a Life hospice Christmas service is in Westburn Church, Greenock on Sunday at 6.30pm.

After the service Donna and her family will switch on the lights on the tree outside, which will be filled with dedications to all those who have been lost.