TIRELESS fundraisers have had a wheelie good time raising money in memory of a teenage girl who passed away last year.

Seventeen people took part in a spinathon at Gullane Gym last month to raise funds for the Jess Mackie Memorial Fund.

Schoolgirl Jess, who lived in the village, tragically passed away on January 2 last year.

Her parents, Jackie and Michael, set up a fund in her memory, with more than a dozen fundraisers demonstrating pedal power to collect money.

Kathryn Donachie, who lives in North Berwick, is a friend of the family and one of those who got in the saddle for the event. She said: “It was not easy but we got there.

“There were no call-offs and Michael and Jackie came backwards and forwards and it was lovely to see it so well attended.”

John Cowan led the six-hour spinathon, with each of the cyclists burning 3,000 calories.

Each of the cyclists were collecting their own individual sponsorships, with visitors donating £400 on the day.

A total of £4,240 was raised.

Jess, who was just 14 when she passed away, was a keen singer.

The fund was set up to “help her to keep helping others, as she had always done, and would have continued to do if she was still with us”.

The memorial fund has so far brought in more than £35,000.

Mr Mackie said: “The energy and effort and no lack of determination shown by the ladies and their coach was simply immense. It was a truly fantastic effort and we cannot thank them and their supporters enough.

“Also thank you to Beccy O’Connor of Beatitude Products for a revitalising goody bag at the end of the six hours for each participant.

“Our aim is to ensure that Jess’s spirit and sense of caring for others continued and through the fund we strive to provide funding support for various initiatives within the musical therapy programmes at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital.”