A CROWDFUNDING campaign to support a Coatbridge teenager now caring for his two younger sisters following the unexpected death of their mum has nearly hit the £5000 mark as the town's MSP, Fulton MacGregor, says he is ready to help in "any way he can".
Marc Gattens, 18, is looking after siblings Emma, 13, and Brooke, nine, following their mum Caroline Traill’s tragic passing on October 15 – just six days before her 37th birthday.
Caroline suffered multiple organ failure after being admitted to Monklands Hospital with a burst bowel.
Her sad and unexpected death has left Marc, Emma and Brooke living on their own at the family home in Whifflet.
Caroline’s close friend Tracie Doran, 38, set up a JustGiving campaign aimed at raising financial support for the children - and was thrilled to see it near the £5000 mark.
Caroline said: "I am so delighted with all of the donations from kind-hearted people; their generosity, especially at this uncertain time, is wonderful.
"I set up the page to support the kids financially through this difficult time so they don’t have to worry about things like bills and Christmas.
“Every penny will help these kids. They shouldn’t have to worry about bills and money at this very tough time.”
Marc, who is currently unemployed, has paid tribute to the support he and his sisters have received since their mum's sad passing, saying: "At the moment we have amazing support in different ways. We are getting help from social workers and are seeing whether organisations like Barnardo’s can offer support.
“But the help that has shone through and meant the most to us has been the support from our community, such as our very thoughtful, generous neighbours and amazingly kind people like Tracie who has went out of her way to get us through this terrible ordeal.
“We will be forever grateful to them all for helping us to get us through this horrible time.
"Tracie setting up the page and the support she has given us has been the overwhelming and amazing. She really has gone above and beyond for us since my mother passed away – and continued to do so.
“Tracie and the fundraising campaign have really seen us through a lot of our worst days.”
Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor says he is “ready to help in any way he can” as he shared his sympathies for the family with the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, adding: “I was very saddened to hear the tragic news about this young family.
“It is very heartening that the community is pulling together at what must be an unthinkable time for these children through the JustGiving campaign and other support. I would expect that the family get all the help they need from our public services, and my office and I stand ready to help in any way we can should they need us.”
Commenting on his decision to look after his siblings, brave Marc said: "I will be looking after my sisters for the foreseeable future as we have no other family.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way and know my mum wouldn’t either. It is my duty.
"Emma and Brooke are really helping me get through each day. Without them I’d be entirely lost, alone or, in a worst case scenario, not here at all."
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carolinetraill?utm_term=m545eGDd3 to support Marc, Emma and Brooke.
