A student who died weeks after graduating from St Andrews University has inspired a campaign to save lives.
Ellie MacDonald was only 23 when she lost her battle against bowel cancer Scotland’s second-biggest killer cancer.
A wish to destroy cancer was top of an adventure-packed bucket list she left when she passed away on September 18 last year.
Now her mum Michelle, who has beaten breast cancer twice, is launching an ambitious fundraising drive.
Called 1 Million Miles for Ellie, it aims to raise £1 million for those touched by cancer.
The cash will go to Cancer Research UK, Maggie’s Centres and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Launching later this month, the campaign will ask Scots to help Ellie’s family hit their million miles target by completing a challenge from a walk on the beach to a camel trek.
Michelle, 50, of North Uist, said: “After we lost Ellie, I was walking across a beach near home crying and shouting, ‘How am I ever going to get over this? How will I ever get any peace? How many miles of walking would it take? One thousand, 10,000, a million?’
“Then I had a lightbulb moment. I knew I couldn’t do a million miles on my own but I could do it by inspiring others to take part as well.
“Ellie’s little brother Alexander has announced he will complete a million steps for Ellie so we’re off to a great start.”
The website, www.1millionmilesforellie.co.uk, launches on June 20.