A HELENSBURGH woman who lost her husband to lung cancer in 2013 is setting up a charitable trust to ensure his memory lives on.

Kelly Andrews has dedicated her time to fundraising for the only charity in the UK wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, for four years, and has raised more than £10,000.

Chef Gary, 40, from Garelochhead, died from lung cancer while on holiday in Salou, Spain, with his family in July 2013.

Now the mum-of-one is ready to make husband Gary’s memory last by setting up her own trust to see the money change local lives for the better.

The 36-year-old said: “When Gary was diagnosed and we were travelling up an down to hospital I didn’t know what help was available.

“The companies we worked for couldn’t spare expenses to cover our increasing costs and money was an additional worry we didn’t need.

“I want to be able to help families who are struggling, to make a difference and take a little bit of the pressure off them.”

“I’m not saying we will be able to make everything better but if I can help even a little, it will be worth it.”

She added: “Everyone needs a little help sometimes. Even if all I can do to help is to give them money for shopping, to cover travel costs to and from hospital for a while, help to pay a bill or even help with end of life care, it will change Gary’s death into a positive lasting legacy.”

With the help of close friends and family, Kelly is in the process of setting up the Gary Andrews Remember a Life Lung Cancer Charity.

But despite setting up her own Trust, Kelly insists she will still donate to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation to help fund research into the disease.

Kelly, who works in Humbles Cafe in Colquhoun Square, often sees people coming into the eatery when she is working who need help, and she has decided the new trust can be a source of support.

The idea is that some of the money she raises will be allocated to the Roy Castle Long Cancer Foundation, and the rest will be kept to help people locally.

Kelly's organisation will have trustees of different backgrounds and professions, and people in the local area will be able to apply for smaller amounts of financial aid from the trust.

The trust is only at the early stages and Kelly thinks it will be nearer the end of the year before it is up and running and able to accept applications.

But that hasn't stopped her working towards her goal - her next fundraiser is a Casino Charity Night on April 15, and a memorial football match is due to be the launch event for the trust.

The event won’t only act as a way of gathering funds to start the trust, but will be a way for people to get together and celebrate Gary’s life and for Kelly to raise awareness about lung cancer and that its not just smokers who suffer.

Friends, family and members of the community have been involved in all Kelly’s fundraisers so far and have a great source of support for Kelly and her son Joshua, 13 and she hopes that they will turn out at the casino night.

Kelly has praised the support her and son Joshua, 13, have received to date.

She said: “It is easier to get through a difficult situation when you have support and people here have been really caring.

"People come together when you need support and Helensburgh is a great community.

“Helensburgh have been a great support for me and I want to turn Gary’s death into something positive and lasting and help people in the community.”

Councillor Vivien Dance voiced her support for the trust, adding: “What a lovely thought from Kelly to do something to help others in memory of Gary, a lasting legacy that will contribute to Helensburgh life in such a positive, yet poignant, way.

“There is always a need that can be fulfilled in memory of loved ones and I wish Kelly every success with her trust venture and I am sure many people in our community will contribute to her good cause in the years ahead.”

In addition, the annual memorial football match for Gary is due to be the launch event for the trust.

Every year since Gary’s death in 2013 a memorial football match has been played to keep his memory alive.

Joshua has played for Ardencaple since he was five years old and Gary loved to watch him. Kelly has found comfort and support from the parents and coaches and proceeds from this year's match will go to the trust.

The Gary Andrews football festival will return to Rhu Amateurs Football Club on Sunday, April 16.

Ardencaple 2003s will meet Drumchapel United in a friendly 11 a side match to win the Gary Andrews Memorial Trophy.

The fun day will raise money for the football club as well as the trust, and kicks off at 10.30am with a series of matches.

The memorial match will kick off at 2pm after a memorial balloon release.

The event will have plenty of refreshments and activities to keep people entertained including helium balloons, face painting, a bouncy castle, tombola and home baking as well as a variety of competitions.

The Casino charity night will run on April 15 from 6.30pm until 12.30am at the Commodore Hotel. Tickets for the casino event are £10 and include a disco and buffet.

Kelly added: “Gary was a family man and these fundraisers aim to get people together and raise not only money but awareness about lung cancer.”

For tickets for either event contact Kelly on 07714 419 758.