A FAMILY has raised more than £40,000 to fund research into sepsis after the death of a mother-of-two.

Fawn Findlay was 31 when she died in September, last year, leaving behind husband Gareth and sons Shaw, 6 and Gary, 4.

Fawn passed away after ongoing issues she contracted after a cyst removal became septic.

She had moved into her new home in Bargeddie just over two weeks before the tragedy.

Her sister, Fallon Cowley, said Fawn’s life changed dramatically after she contracted the condition.

“From that day on Fawn’s life was to change forever,” said Fallon. “The sepsis triggered off reactive arthritis which caused her to lose her mobility and she was unable to walk for several months.

“This then to lead to rheumatoid arthritis two years later which affected her immune system, causing her to catch numerous infections, including viral meningitis twice. There later followed issues with her gall bladder and bile duct which left her only able to eat limited foods.”

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Sepsis kills an estimated 52,000 people in the UK every year, of whom more than 4000 are in Scotland. More people die from sepsis than the combined figure for breast cancer and bowel cancer, and many victims who survive can suffer life-changing consequences, including the loss of limbs.

Fawn originally planned to raise awareness and funds for sepsis herself, but it was after her passing that her sister, Fallon, decided to realise her ambition. She has since been able to raise almost £41,000 for Sepsis Research.

Fallon organised a ball in memory of her sister, and donated the money to Sepsis Research in her memory to help raise awareness and fund more research into better ways to treat the illness.

“We are delighted to have hosted such a fantastic event in memory of my sister, Fawn whilst raising awareness and monies for Sepsis Research,” said Fallon.

“This is something my sister had planned to do in 2019, so I’m pleased we have been able to fulfil her wishes.”

Fallon was helped by family friend Sandra Vaughan and her team at Fakebake UK to organise the ball, which was held at the Grand Central Hotel in October. The ball raised a staggering £40,805 for Sepsis Research.

Colin Graham, Sepsis Research chief operating officer, added: “This is a very generous donation and a magnificent way for Fallon to remember her sister.

“This is a truly remarkable sum and we are enormously grateful for this extraordinary boost to our charity. The money will be used to help us fund vital research being carried out at the globally renowned Roslin Institute in Edinburgh aimed at finding better treatment and medicines for sepsis.

“I would to thank the Fawn Findlay Foundation for raising the highest donation we have ever received and thank them for their continuing support.”