A YOUNG Largs girl has raised more than £4,000 to create a lasting memorial to her late dad.

Nine-year-old Isla took on a fundraising cycle around Cumbrae last month to raise funds to install a bench in Douglas Park for Zac Baker, who passed away suddenly in September last year, aged 31.

Zac was born and brought up in Edinburgh, but made Largs his home nine years ago, and was a popular figure around the town.

His family told the News last year that Zac was a “special person who could light up any room with his smile and sense of humour”.

Isla, a pupil at St Mary's Primary School in Largs, invited the local community to join her on the fund-raising effort, with more than 40 people getting on their bikes to help create the permanent memorial to Zac.

Mum Colleen Garrett admits the day on the island will live long in Isla’s memory.

She said: “I can’t thank everyone enough for their support attending the cycle and for the overwhelming donations.

“Isla had the best day creating special memories to celebrate the life of her amazing and much-missed dad.

“She was surrounded by friends and family who all showed such amazing kindness and support whilst she completed her charity cycle.”

Many of the cyclists taking part were dressed in maroon, in honour of Zac’s favourite football team, Hearts.

Colleen says the cycle was a huge success, with kind-hearted people from across the Largs community getting the ferry across the water to take part.

She explained: “I think we had about 40 people. Some walked and some cycled round but we mostly set off on the same ferry.

“In the group there were family, Zac’s friends, Isla’s school friends, and some teachers from St Mary’s too.

“We had a pit stop at Fintry Bay and went to the Ritz for ice cream. Everyone had such a good day and it felt great raising awareness of epilepsy and supporting Isla in memory of her dad.”

Any extra money not used to purchase the memorial bench will go straight to Epilepsy Scotland - and Colleen admits she has been blown away by the total amount raised.

She added: “We definitely raised more than expected, but I think our friends and families were just so willing to show their support to Isla and do something special in memory of Zac.

“He was so loved and I think it’s still a shock and very big loss to everyone now that he’s no longer here.”

Zac worked in William Hill in Largs for many years, and also had a role in the offices of Spectrum Window and Door Maintenance Ltd.

Donations can still be made at www.gofundme.com/f/bakers-bench.