AN AIRTH diamond wedding couple celebrated reaching the milestone by helping Parkinson’s patients at Forth Valley Royal.

Jim and Nessie Cowie asked relatives and friends to forget about presents and donate instead, the gesture netting £400 for the hospital.

Receiving it was Parkinson’s nurse specialist Kay Mair who plans to use the donation to buy digital timers to help people receive their medication on time.

The couple, who have two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren, were married in Airth Parish Church in 1959 after meeting at a dance in the local Welfare Hall.

Nessie, 79, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s around five years ago.

Husband Jim, 82, said: “Because of Nessie’s condition we thought we could help someone else by asking people to donate money rather than gifts that you don’t really need.

“Friends and relatives thought this was a great idea.”

The couple have two sons, a daughter and four grandchildren.

Daughter Jacqueline Lyons, a midwife who recently retired from Forth Valley Royal Hospital after 40 years with the NHS, added: “It’s just typical of them giving to other people, they are always thinking of others. I am pretty proud of them, not just of their latest gesture but they have always been kind to people.”