A HUGE community effort to support the family of Amanda Cox will continue this evening.

The 34-year-old health worker from Peebles tragically died last week at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, just four days after prematurely giving birth to son, Murray.

Amanda's husband, Michael, and her wider family were left devastated.

But friends have rallied round with emotional and financial support.

Since Amanda's death a fundraising page, set up by family friend John Clarkson, has raised almost £15,000 to cover the funeral costs as well as provide ongoing support for Michael as he travels daily to be with his new-born son in hospital.

John admits everyone has been overwhelmed by the level of generosity shown.

He told us: "I started the fundraising page just to help a mate out.

"The cost of raising a child can be tough with two wages coming in and now it’s just Michaels wage.

"Now with everything else that he has to think about I just wanted to try and take a tiny bit of a weight off him.

"I thought setting this up I could maybe raise two or three thousand to help out with Amanda’s funeral, or for anything he needed it for.

"I’m absolutely stunned and delighted it was so well received by local people and beyond."

The gofundme page raised more than the £6,000 target within the first 48 hours of being set up.

And throughout the weekend and into this week donations have continued to flow in for the grieving family.

A special fundraiser will also be held in Michael's hometown of Innerleithen this evening.

Staff at the St Ronan's Hotel were planning to host a festive disco, but the tragic news of Amanda's death pulled the night in a different direction.

Paul Morgan of the St Ronan's Hotel explained: "Two of our regulars who worked alongside Amanda at Haylodge Health Centre were in on Sunday.

"We were chatting about the fundraising page set up by John Clarkson, which has raised a phenomenal amount of money to help support Michael and his son Murray.

"The idea for this event came about as there were some unclaimed raffle prizes from the Light's Switch On, so we decided to re-raffle them and put funds towards supporting Amanda's family.

"But it has grown massively this week. The response from businesses in Peebles and Innerleithen has been incredible.

"We have received over 50 donations and prizes are still rolling in.

"The communities have really come together to do what they can to support the family at this sad time. I cannot thank people enough for their generosity."

The fundraising event, which will include two raffles and an auction, will take place in St Ronan's Hotel tonight (Friday) from 8pm.

Raffle tickets can be purchased directly from the hotel and the Top Stop Coffee Shop.