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Moray comes together to support terminally ill mum Vickie Cooney


By Alistair Whitfield

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Vickie Cooney with her husband Paul and sons Harrison and Seth.
Vickie Cooney with her husband Paul and sons Harrison and Seth.

FRIENDS of an inspirational mum who is dying of cancer will swim in the Moray Firth on Sunday to raise money for her family.

Vickie Cooney has been told that she has just days left to live.

When the 42-year-old began feeling unwell her original thought was that she might have contracted long Covid.

Instead she was diagnosed with cancer two months ago.

A particularly aggressive form of the disease, it has since spread through her body.

Sharon Brotherton, Vickie's close pal, launched an online appeal just five days ago.

Already it has raised more than £8800, with in excess of 350 people making donations.

Vickie and Sharon.
Vickie and Sharon.

Sharon states this rapidly growing sum shows just how widely her friend is loved.

She added: "Vickie is truly amazing. She is so funny and so kind.

"It doesn't surprise me at all that people who know her are being so generous.

"What does surprise me though is that we're now also getting large donations from people who don't know her.

"But the appeal is resonating because everybody knows somebody who's had cancer – that's why so many people are so eager to help in whatever way they can."

Vickie is mum to two young sons – Harrison (6) and Seth (3).

She is also married to Paul who's with the 39 Engineer Regiment at Kinloss.

Yesterday was their sixth wedding anniversary.

An admin assistant with the NHS, Vickie was treated at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin.

However, she is now back home again in Kinloss to spend the time she has left with her family.

Vickie with Paul and the boys.
Vickie with Paul and the boys.

Sharon said: "I became friends with Vickie four years ago when we were both pregnant with our youngest children.

"We went on to run a baby group together.

"Being military families, we supported each other when our partners were away.

"And with no extended family around during lockdown we became each other's support system.

"We were all devastated when we heard the news, but we've had so much outreach from the local community asking how they can help.

"Everyone is devastated – and nobody more so than Paul and the two beautiful boys she will be leaving behind.

"So although I know times are tough for everyone right now, I'm asking that if you're able to help that you please do so.

"Make sure that financial stress is one thing this amazing family do not have to worry about."

Folk are meeting this Sunday at the Captain's Table in Findhorn from 11.30am.

You don't have to swim in the Moray Firth to show your support for Vickie and her family, as there will be a raffle plus other fundraising activities on the day.

Both the Captain's Table and MIRO, the Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation, will also be lending their services.

Donations can be made to the online appeal HERE

You can also learn more about the raffle by typing 'raffle for the cooneys' into Facebook.


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