A COWDENBEATH businessman has praised the work of the Marie Curie organisation after losing his wife Jenny a few weeks ago.

Bert Oliver, who runs his plumbing and heating business from his Stenhouse Street base, was shocked by the speed at which cancer claimed his wife.

But the support of the Marie Curie team helped Bert and his family cope with the rigours of a very difficult situation.

At Jenny's funeral at collection was held for Marie Curie and it realised £400 and on Friday Bert, along with step-daughter Gillian, her son Dom and his sister Gillian, presented the cheque to Jennifer Gale and Rachel Aird at the charity's shop on Cowdenbeath High Street.

Said Bert: "The incredible work of the Marie Curie nurses really helped myself and everyone through what was a very harrowing time.

"Within a matter of weeks Jenny had been taken from us and nothing can protect you from the shock and devastation of it all, the work of the Marie Curie people really helped get us through it."

Bert also praised Lochgelly undertaker John Gilfillan for his very respectful help throughout the period up to the funeral and afterwards.

He added: "When my father died in 2006 the Marie Curie people were also a massive help to the family and I was delighted with the way people contributed to the collection at Jenny's funeral, this is a very worthy organisation."

Jennifer Gale said: "It is a most harrowing time for families during the latter stages of the illness of a loved one and people need all the support they can get to be able to manage things.

"We do our utmost to offer the right support and try to make things manageable for people."

Shop manager in Cowdenbeath Rachel said that donations received from families are something which are respectfully acknowledged by the organisation.