MORE than 50 air cadets and members of staff formed a guard of honour at the funeral of an inspirational county teenager who raised more than £66,000 for charity.

Hundreds of people turned out for Rebecca Dalgleish’s funeral, which took place at Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh, on Saturday morning.

Among them were representatives from the air cadets, who paid their respects.

Rebecca’s mum, Pam, told the Courier: “The funeral went very well. Obviously, it was a very sad occasion but we had a huge turnout of more than 200 people.

“There were a large number of cadets who came and did a guard of honour.”

Rebecca, from Kingston, near North Berwick, was diagnosed with a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) last June.

An MPNST is a form of cancer of the connective tissue surrounding nerves.

The 18-year-old then decided to try to raise money for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).

The charity provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people who have life-shortening conditions for which there is no known cure.

A collection taken on Saturday morning also brought in £1,820.45 for CHAS.

Pam added: “It was quite amazing.

“We had collection boxes overflowing and I could not believe how much money was donated on the day by people who had donated previously and were giving again.”

Members of the public were encouraged to wear “cheery, happy colours” and Pam was pleased to say they did not disappoint, with many people donning purple scarves, coats or shirts.

Rebecca, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer less than 12 months ago, passed away on December 3 at the Capital’s St Colomba’s Hospice.

Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Commandant Group Captain Leggat, who attended the funeral with senior staff from regional headquarters and South East Scotland Wing headquarters, reiterated they were “deeply saddened” to hear of the teenager’s death.

He said: “Rebecca was an active member of 132 (North Berwick) Squadron since joining the Air Cadets in February 2011.

“She was an inspiration to all who met her and undoubtedly touched the lives of many.

“Clearly she was very determined to help others when she embarked on her fund raising campaign for her favourite charity CHAS.”

Donations have poured in since the teenager’s death on December 3.

Rebecca initially set a fundraising target of £5,000, with that figure smashed within a matter of weeks.

Almost £1,500 has been added to the total, as members of the public pay their respects. That has included a donation of £120 from North Berwick Rugby Club, as well as a further donation of £60 from CrossFit East Rocks.

A further £2,566.68 was added through the sale of charity wristbands – taking the total to just under £66,500.

Pam said: “It is just absolutely phenomenal from what we thought we would raise to that – it is just amazing.

“The support from the people we know, friends we know and the community round us have really got behind Rebecca’s campaign and have supported us, which we are just really overwhelmed by.

“We are just so proud that she managed to raise so much money and she was so courageous through her battle with cancer.”

To make a donation, go to www.justgiving.com/Rebecca-Dalgleish