A courageous Moray mother whose huge fundraising efforts earned her an invitation from the Queen has died aged 34.
Dionne McIntosh, from Buckie, raised £65,000 with friends after being diagnosed with cancer just days after her 30th birthday.
Within months of the heartbreaking news, she teamed up with seven friends and organised massive fundraisers to support others facing the same battle.
A coffee morning held in the Fishermen’s Hall in 2016 raised £23,000 for Macmillan while a glitzy Hollywood night held at the same venue in 2018 collected more than £40,000 for the oncology research fund at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The huge fundraising efforts earned Mrs McIntosh and her friends an invitation to the Queen’s annual garden party in Edinburgh last year.
Husband Kevin McIntosh said: “When she was diagnosed with breast cancer she just wanted to do something help others in same situation.
“It just started from there, one of her friends came with the idea and it just kept growing and growing.
“She was bubbly and very popular, she had time for everyone. She had a really good group of close friends and they really helped her and supported her.”
Friends have released tributes to Mrs McIntosh, praising the way she fought her illness “courageously” while “always smiling”.
Mr McIntosh explained that his wife had remained strong for their two daughters, Sienna 6, and Aviana, 4, throughout her chemotherapy treatment.
He said: “Her kids were her life, even through the treatment she would still do anything for them, whether it was taking them out or anything. Nothing was ever too much for her.”
Money raised from the Hollywood fundraiser was donated to help provide more money for cancer research and treatment.
A social media post from the event organisers explained that Mrs McIntosh had been the driving force for the successful night.
It read: “Everyone who knows us knows that Dionne was the root and heart of all our fundraising. As a group of friends we were driven and focused in making something good out of a terribly sad situation.
“We raised a colossal £65,000, something which is a fitting tribute to a girl who was loved by so many. Dionne fought her illness privately and courageously. We have been blessed to have a special friend in our lives.”