Donations ensure Inverness family can lay beloved mum and wife to rest
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Kind-hearted locals have helped a grieving family reach a fundraising target that will now allow them to finally lay their wife and mother to rest after she died in December.
The Highland News reported last week how the family of Kim Jane MacKenzie were unable to find the funds to pay for her funeral costs.
Mrs MacKenzie died at home on December 10, aged just 54.
Her husband Daniel, who is a Big Issue seller in Inverness, had launched an online appeal, asking people to donate to the cost of her funeral as the family was unable to afford it themselves.
Within days of sharing their emotional story the fundraising target of £1500 was not only reached but exceeded, with one particularly generous benefactor pledging £1000 on the Go Fund Me page, and the overall total currently topping £2020.
Mrs Mackenzie will now be laid to rest on Monday after a kind volunteer also offered to conduct the service free of charge.
Mr Mackenzie said: “I was not expecting so much money to be raised.
“Since it went in the paper a lot more people found out about it and I think that helped. With me selling the Big Issue, I didn’t think that people would go out of their way to help and I don’t know half the people who put money in. I absolutely can’t thank them enough.”
Highland councillor Derek Louden raised the family’s plight at a council meeting, describing the case as “shocking” and difficult to reconcile within the modern welfare state.
He said: “I’m delighted and relieved that the fundraiser has met the target set. I’m also delighted that someone has volunteered to conduct the service. Mrs MacKenzie can be laid to rest at last. I hope she rests in peace. I hope her family will take some comfort from the outpouring of support from the public. Thanks to everyone who donated and to the Highland News for the support you gave.”
