The heartbroken parents of a teenager who died suddenly are planning a pilgrimage to the family’s holiday destination in the East Neuk.
Andy and Dawn Cubin used to take their daughter Hannah to Elie in the summer, when she would also visit her grandparents in Anstruther.
But on Saturday the couple from Wiltshire saw their world fall apart when Hannah died in their arms just three days after her fourteenth birthday.
“We were trying to resuscitate her but we were pretty certain she had slipped away,” said Mr Cubin, 54.
“She died in our arms.”
Hannah stopped breathing while on a sleepover. Mr Cubin said the family were still waiting for the results of a post mortem to find out the cause of death.
While paramedics worked to save her, the Wiltshire Air Ambulance was standing by to take her to hospital.
The family launched a fundraising campaign for the air ambulance and the response has been overwhelming.
Mr Cubin said he and his wife had taken comfort from the donations and messages of condolence.
They are also planning a visit to Elie to remember the happy times they had in Fife with Hannah.
“She loved coming up here. We would come up and visit for a week and stay in Elie,” said Mr Cubin.
“Hannah used to bring one of her friends. They weren’t allowed any technology and would paddle in the sea and walk the dog.
“She would travel back down looking fresh and healthy. It was fantastic.
“One of the ways we’re coping is we plan to do the visit again, just myself, my wife and the dog, next spring.”
Just two days after being launched, Hannah’s Wiltshire Air Ambulance Page on the JustGiving website had raised nearly £30,000.
Mr Cubin added: “The fund is beyond anything we could have imagined. It’s truly magnificent.
“These helicopters attend three incidents a day. There’s nearly four days’ worth of funding and it’s very likely, with all the donations, this is saving someone’s life.
“People have also attached messages of condolence and that is lifting us.
“We’re very proud of our daughter’s legacy and what’s happening in her name.”
Funds can be donated to Wiltshire Air Ambulance at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Hannah-Cubin.
