For the past three years, staff at Nadia's Hair and Beauty in Rothesay's Bridge Street have worked tirelessly to raise funds for the foundation after being inspired by the brave cancer fight of local youngster Brianne Roberts.

And now salon owner Kate Thornton has made a commitment to raise more than a thousand pounds for the foundation every single year.

The most famous fund raising effort among the staff at Nadia's has been their annual Christmas treat for Brianne, with the workforce donning various fancy dress get-ups to raise money and some festive cheer.

Last Christmas the theme, appropriately enough, was a re-enactment of the musical Hairspray!, while a collection of Tiggers and purple fairies have brightened up Brianne's Christmas in past years.

And the fund raising didn't stop there, with a school concert and several raffles, held thanks to the generosity of the Bute business community, helping to further swell the coffers.

Kate announced the bold new target at a cheque presentation at Rothesay Primary School this week, attended by Alicia Dunn, Brianne's mum Kim and Kate's grandchildren Caitlin and Kieran Fenner, both pupils at the school.

Evonne Flisch, Yorkhill's fund raiser, also came along to accept a cheque for the foundation of £1,024.10.

Said Kate: "Our aim is to raise £1,000 a year for the Yorkhill Children's Foundation.

"We have now formed a group called 'Yorkies' to take the fund raising forward, and have already received a couple of donations to allow us a cash flow so that we can plan ahead.

"We are planning a big annual event in the Pavilion each July, and this will involve a significant financial outlay for this year's event, which will take place on Friday, July 11."

Fund raising for this event will kick off with a dance at Rothesay Bowling Club this Saturday, March 22, with Alison and Jimmy Dunn 'on the decks' for the evening.

Meanwhile, back at the school, Evonne told us: "We are grateful for the support of people on Bute - especially the school and, of course, Nadia's.

"This particular donation will go towards the Schiehallion Play Leader's Fund, whose aim is to make children's experience in hospital as normal as possible.

"We have children's entertainers, clown entertainers and Kate's favourite, Moira the Monster.

"We have also adapted a lecture theatre to turn it into a normal cinema, where families can go to see the latest releases and enjoy the 'movie experience' just like a normal family night out at no charge."