Mearns townfolk left heartbroken by the death of a mum and her unborn son have launched a fundraising drive to buy lifesaving equipment.
Amy Wilson, 31, collapsed and died at a coffee morning in Laurencekirk last November when she was just weeks away from giving birth to her son, Harry.
She was survived by her fianc Peter Reid and daughters, Chloe, 2, and Halle, 8.
It is understood Ms Wilson’s death may have been caused by a rare heart condition, and two of her friends have since started to raise funds for at least one publicly accessible defibrillator.
The first of three family fundraising events will be held on Friday March 14 at Dizzy Rascals play centre in the town.
Although it is not certain that a defibrillator would have saved Ms Wilson, her friends and family believe that having such kit available 24 hours a day could make a difference to someone else.
Marjolein Donker, 32, and Megan Mitchell, 21, were both sitting next to Ms Wilson at the coffee morning when she collapsed.
The women, who work at the Laurencekirk out-of-school club, hope to raise at least £2,500 for the equipment.
Ms Mitchell added: “When Amy died, it highlighted that there wasn’t a defibrillator in Laurencekirk that was available to the public 24 hours a day.
“There is one in the fire station, but that was not open on the day Amy died.
“The response we have had so far has been very, very positive, and I think the community just want to help.
“It also helps to know that you are taking some good out of what has been an awful situation.”
Ms Donker said: “After Amy died, parents came to us and said they wanted to do something for the family, but they didn’t really know what to give or what to do.
“This is something really constructive and people have been supportive.”
Although Laurencekirk has eight community first responders, who offer emergency medical support until paramedics arrive, none were on duty on the morning Ms Wilson collapsed.
The volunteers, who are equipped with defibrillators, may not always be called by 999 operators given the seriousness of the emergency.
Helen Reid, the mother-in-law of Ms Wilson and grandmother to her children, said: “I know that a defibrillator may not have saved her life, but to have had access to the equipment may have helped.”
Donations for the defibrillator can be made to RBS account 00114176, sort code 83-24-17.