ON Saturday the staff from the Central Fife Times office joined forces with their Dunfermline Press counterparts to attend The Mary Leishman Ball in Dunfermline’s Glen Pavilio, writes Kerry Black.

Mary sadly died 9 years ago on her 30th wedding anniversary and her husband Jim Leishman and her daughter and son, Kate and Jamie, decided at that time, in conjunction with her close friends, to set up a Foundation in her memory to “Encourage Potential and Ease Distress”.

Their initial target was £100,000, however, Saturday night saw them crash triumphantly through the million pound barrier!

Many local people will remember Mary as the leading lady of countless Kelty Musical shows.

Her parents John and Lena Smith, were both Kelty principals, going on to be President and Choreographer of the society for many years.

I first met Mary through my husband Lindsay Black who played many, many principal roles opposite Mary, including Oscar to her Sweet Charity and Nicely, Nicely to her Adelaide in Guys and Dolls.

Mary was a rare performer in that she was an excellent singer, a great dancer and an accomplished actress. Local audiences will remember her in roles as diverse as Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly, Miss Mona in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and as the whip-cracking title role of Calamity Jane!

Over the years the Mary Leishman Foundation has held many different fundraisers, ranging from the famous Dander for Mary (soon heading out on its 10th annual trip!), Soul Nights, Fire Walks and Quiz Nights (organised by Lindsay and I).

However, the Ball has remained at the cornerstone of all their events, a glittering chance for several hundred people to come together and celebrate not only Mary’s life and the achievements of the Foundation, but to have a chance to see many of the beneficiaries of the fund.

This year, a video, compiled by Jamie Leishman, showed the diversity of donations they have made, ranging from a lightweight wheelchair for a young boy, to contributions to help students attend universities at home and abroad.

Mary was famed for saying “Thanks a million” and it was so appropriate to see these words spelled out in giant silver balloons above the stage of the Glen Pavilion on Saturday night as her friends and family finally raised the magical million!

Mary would have been so proud of every single person who has contributed in any way over the past nine years to this amazing fund!