SELKIRK fundraiser Elaine Monro has shared the success of a tartan designed to combat cancer with MSPs on a special visit to the Scottish Parliament.

Elaine, who is a member of the Cancer Research UK Selkirk fundraising committee, was invited to First Minister’s Questions and lunch at Holyrood as a guest of MSP Rachael Hamilton.

And it was the perfect opportunity to spread the word about the Friends of Cancer Research UK tartan, which was designed and woven by Lochcarron of Scotland.

Launched last November to raise awareness and vital funds for Cancer Research UK the scarves were an instant hit, with several reruns required to meet demand.

The tartan which has been officially registered in the Scottish Register of Tartans is now available to buy in a range of products including the scarf for £22.50, with profits going to fund research.

Elaine, who came up with the idea of creating the tartan, presented scarves to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Conservative party leader Ruth Davidson.

Elaine told the Border Telegraph: “Cancer touches so many.

“No matter who you speak to, most people will have a story of a loved one, close friend, work colleague or neighbour with the disease.

"Selkirk is a close and caring community so over the years I’ve got to know a lot of families going through this very hard time and I hope the tartan will help support patients and their families.

“I came up with the idea of creating a tartan in Cancer Research UK colours while having coffee in the Lochcarron of Scotland shop in Selkirk.

"It struck me as such a great way to raise funds. I can’t thank Lochcarron of Scotland enough for their enthusiastic support at every stage of the process.

"I could never have dreamed that the Friends of Cancer Research UK tartan would prove so successful but I’m delighted that it has really taken off.”

Around 1,200 tartan scarves have been sold and celebrities pictured wearing the tartan so far include Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger, record breaking wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn, musical theatre star Michael Ball, singer Alfie Boe and the Scotland Sevens player and Olympic silver medallist, Mark Robertson.

MSP Rachael Hamilton said: “It was a real privilege to host Elaine and others from Cancer Research UK’s Selkirk fundraising committee at the Scottish Parliament.

“Elaine and the Cancer Research UK Selkirk fundraising committee do tremendous work. The Friends of Cancer Research UK tartan is a fantastic initiative by Elaine and has been a true success."

Cancer Research UK’s Selkirk fundraising committee has raised around £400,000 since the committee first started in 1966.

Every day, 88 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland.

But, thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK was able to spend more than £34 million last year in Scotland on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research – helping more men, women and children survive the disease.

Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, Lisa Adams, said: “We’d like to thank Elaine and all members of our Selkirk fundraising committee for their tireless voluntary work to help beat cancer sooner.

“The amount of time they have dedicated in to making their vision a reality is inspiring. Most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer. But thanks to the huge progress that has been made in the fight against the disease, more people in Scotland are surviving cancer than ever before.

"Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more research we can fund, the sooner that day will come.”

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

The Friends of Cancer Research UK tartan scarf costs £22.50, a tartan pendant is £8.50, a decorated tartan fairy costs £8.50 and a keyring £6.50.

To place an order please contact Elaine at elaine.monro@btinternet.com