Courier readers prove to be gems

When an appeal was issued for pieces of old jewellery to help a Marie Curie fundraiser, few could have imagined the eventual response. The expected bits and pieces were to be used to create a bespoke piece of jewellery which would eventually be sold to raise vital funds for the charity.

It was a nice idea to help celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the globally-recognised organisation, which had its humble beginnings funded by the donation of a diamond engagement ring in 1948.

Instead of a trickle of trinkets, a literal treasure trove of items was submitted from across Tayside and Fife, including some too precious to break up.

Jeweller Lorraine Law has had her work cut out selecting the perfect pieces for her creation, the centrepiece of which will be another diamond engagement ring with a heartbreaking back story.

Of course, we are not surprised by the generosity of our readers – it has become the norm that they step up when asked to do so.

What the response does show is the depth of feeling for the charity, which provides nursing care for those with terminal illnesses.

As central funding gets increasingly squeezed, gestures such as this will become even more important.

Charities know they will always be able to rely on Courier Country’s generous public.