NEXT Friday a major fundraiser is being held in Cardenden in memory of a local woman who died of lung cancer.

Laura McKenzie was preparing for her wedding day when she lost her courageous battle on July 15, 2008.

She was 24.

Almost a decade on, her Cardenden parents want to raise £10,000 to mark the 10th anniversary of her death.

Duncan and his wife Lindsay continue to raise funds and awareness in Laura's name and a 'Pink MacKenzie' zumbathon will be held in Bowhill Community Centre on Friday April 20.

Lindsay said: "She was a fabulous young woman, a pilates teacher who was healthy and happy.

"She never smoked or took drugs, she was a vegetarian and someone who was very fit.

"Laura was misdiagnosed for nine months. She was in London and they thought it was TB or pneumonia, they thought she was too well to have cancer.

"They didn't discover it in time."

Laura, whose mum Maureen and grandfather also died of lung cancer, was diagnosed in April 2007 when she was 23.

She fought the disease and survived longer than doctors had expected.

Stepmother Lindsay said: "We loved her to bits. That's why this year we wanted to do fun things, raise awareness and money. It's the 10th year so we have a target of £10,000."

The Pink MacKenzie charity event is a zumbathon from 7-9pm and tickets, available from the family firm, It's Beds & Pine in Cardenden, cost £5.

There will also be a raffle – prizes are welcome – and participants are encouraged to wear something pink, Laura's favourite colour, to have fun and enjoy the exercise while raising money for a great cause.

Proceeds will go to charities that helped her, Maggie's Edinburgh, Clic Sargent, Marie Curie, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, The Willow Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust.

She also helped them by raising awareness of lung cancer and the warning signs.

To buy tickets for the Pink MacKenzie charity event, call 01592 720373.