A CHARITY sports festival has netted over £7,500 in memory of a Cowdenbeath woman.

Helen McMurray passed away in July 2023 at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with MND in October 2021.

A netball event, organised by her daughter Morna who is chair of the Beath High-based Kirkcaldy Netball Club, raised a total of £7,864.60 for NHS Fife's MND department.

"This is the first year we have done the festival," explained Morna. "It was in memory of my mum who died of MND last July.

A netball festival raised over £7,500 to help MND.A netball festival raised over £7,500 to help MND. (Image: Contributed) "I thought we would go all out and just run the festival instead of a normal tournament. It was probably the biggest event we have held.

"My mum was a spectator. One of the aims of the tournament was to raise awareness (of MND). I cared for my mum every day and the netball was my bit of relief from that.

"We never ever ever expected to pull it off like what we did. Everybody was so generous, friends, family and local businesses."

Teams from as far away as Dunblane, Ayrshire, Glasgow, Edinburgh and from across Fife took part in the event held back in August.

A netball festival raised over £7,500 to help MND.A netball festival raised over £7,500 to help MND. (Image: Contributed) "The main focus was on participation, fun and most importantly to raise as much money as we could," added Morna.

"15 adult and 18 junior teams joined us over the weekend with an estimated 350 players, umpires, coaches and spectators coming together for an amazing weekend of netball!

"We can confirm that a total of £7,864.60 was raised for the, which has smashed and exceeded our expectations and more!

"Thank you too all the local businesses and friends and family members who supported us with raffle prizes and donations.

"A massive thank you also to everyone for their generosity and to all the volunteers who helped organise and run the day. My wee mum would definitely be proud of us all!"