Celtic legends Scott Brown and John Hartson have backed a fundraiser set up in memory of a young Glasgow woman who tragically died following a major operation.
Emma Monroe, from Scotstoun, passed away in hospital after undergoing surgery in November to sort issues with a shunt - a small hollow tube that helps drain the fluid from the brain.
The 21-year-old had been unwell for around a year and a half leading up to her death in 2020, having battled Spina Bifida and diabetes from a young age.
Although the surgery was successful, Emma suffered massive swelling in her head and was declared brain dead.
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Her heartbroken boyfriend Ross Proctor, 24, is now trying to raise £2,000 to have a bench pitched in Victoria Park in memory of Emma, reports the Daily Record.
The effort, in partnership with Clydebank charity, Golden Friendships, has now been back by former Celtic stars Scott Brown and John Hartson.
Hartson, a friend of the charity, "immediately" offered his support and surprised Hoops-daft Ross with a retro Celtic strip.
The Welsh pundit also donated an all expenses paid golf day at his golf club near Edinburgh to auction off at the charity's race night which is being held on Saturday.
Ex-captain Brown has also got in on the act by donating signed strips and posters to flog on the night.
Golden Friendships manager, Jim Mclaren, 59, said: "We met John outside Go Radio station.
"He stood with us for half an hour before his show. Someone had mentioned what Ross was doing and without hesitation he said, how can I help?
"He actually offered to pay for the bench, but we decided we didn't want to do that. We thought it'd be great for Ross to have a focus and that it would mean a lot more to him if he raised the money himself.
"He also agreed to speak at one of our club nights in October. He was just fabulous."
Emma spent the majority of 2020 in and out of hospital over problems with the shunt, before she admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
During surgery to address the issues, she suffered large amounts of swelling to her head and sadly never recovered.
The heartbreaking decision was then taken to turn Emma's life support off, with mum Mandy by her side.
Emma's death came as she and Ross has started to plan for their future together. The pair were looking to buy a flat together and had a holiday planned.
In a sweet nod to his beloved Emma, Ross hopes to position the bench in a spot very close to his heart.
The couple would often sit underneath a special tree in the West End park to spend quality time together.
Mandy, 57, said: "Ross and Emma used to call the wee tree they sat under in Victoria Park the winching tree.
"It's where they had their cuddles and kisses so it's lovely that if Ross is struggling, he has someone to go to keep her memory alive.
"It was so generous of John Hartson to give up his time and meet us. He really took it to heart.
“Emma was so loved. She was such a wonderful person and she loved everybody, especially Ross."
