A CARING niece from Glasgow has raised an incredible amount of cash for a good cause in memory of her uncle who died after battling cancer.

Sarah Anderson, from the city's Southside, has raised more than £1300 for Quarriers in memory of her uncle, Gerard Gahagan, who was a "stalwart" of the William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre, which is run by the cause in Govan.

The loving family member decided to raise cash for the cause as she was "so proud" of the legacy her uncle left behind when he died in July as he was the hospital's former manager.

Sarah believed the best way to "honour" him was to raise money for the centre by taking on The Great Scottish Run - a 10k run around the city.

She said:  “Gerard was a proud family man, and he loved family parties. Glasgow Celtic was his team of choice, and I always knew that he was a very clever man.

"He was a Learning Disability Nurse and he spent most of his career working with Quarriers. He worked hard to better the lives of people who live with epilepsy.”

The Celtic fan also has a lecture theatre named after him at the centre with a plaque that records how "he led a multi-disciplinary team" with enthusiasm and motivated staff to provide the highest standard of care.

He was also in the driving force in reimagining the centre, taking it from an ageing building in Renfrewshire to the new facility in Glasgow.

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Sarah added: “I thought it fitting to raise some money in his honour to mark what a great man he was and to raise it for something that meant a lot to him.

"He was very proud to work at Quarriers and was heavily involved in massive changes to the treatment and the facilities that are now available to people living with epilepsy.

“Since I started this fundraising I have received lovely messages about him and what he meant to the people he worked with.

"And the fact that we managed to raise the amount we did is a testament to him and the memories he has left with the people who knew him.”

Sarah, who is also a Learning Disability Nurse, admits she is not a natural runner. “But I do love doing the Great Scottish Run.

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"It’s a brilliantly organised event and involves the whole city which motivated me to train.

"Plus, it gave me an excuse to meet up with my training mate for a catch-up, even if I did end up walking and talking the whole time.

"The run is a great opportunity to raise money for Scotland’s amazing charities.

“I feel proud of my Uncle Gerard and what he achieved in his work and personal life.

"I am also a nurse, so I appreciate that to have that amount of respect and admiration from your colleagues proves how hard he worked, and how he treated everyone around him.

"I’m thrilled by all the donations from his former colleagues.”

Lorraine Jackson, WQSEC hospital manager, said: “Everyone at the WQSEC is very grateful to Sarah for the fantastic amount of money raised in Gerard's memory.

"We are currently in the process of developing a sensory room for patients. Our hope is that this environment will provide a space for patients to relax and feel comfortable and Sarah's fundraised money will go towards this.

"Gerard's vision for patients coming into the hospital was always for them to experience a welcoming, comfortable and supportive environment that met the needs of all patients.

"We think this would meet with his approval.”