Many tributes have been paid to Graham Cooper, who was, until recently, treasurer of the Elsie Normington Foundation. Illness forced Graham to stand down a couple of months ago.

Graham was 74 when he died on 10 February after an illness he bore for 6 years (pulmonary fibrosis).

Graham is survived by his wife Moira (they celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2016) and two daughters Gillian and Nicola, who both paid handsome tribute to their dear dad at the service of thanksgiving along with Graham’s lifelong friend and golfing partner Bob Mitchell.

A Glaswegian, Graham moved to Inverness in 1985 and was a bank manager. He was also treasurer of Inverness Golf Club for a number of years and also held membership at The Nairn Golf Club. Latterly, he enjoyed taking part in the choir, run by Elsie Normington at the Merkinch Community Centre.

£1,000 was raised from donations at the funeral service and this sum will be divided between the Foundation and Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

His daughter Gillian is helping with community fund raising for the Haven Appeal, having been encouraged by her dad to support the worthy cause. The Cooper family are hoping to organise a fund-raiser for the Foundation in Graham’s memory soon.

Elsie Normington, Chairman of the Foundation, said: “Graham was a lovely, caring and considerate man with a great sense of humour. His help to the Foundation was enormous and I will be eternally grateful to him for all his time, support and counsel during the many years of our friendship and working together for the benefit of children and young people with the greatest needs.”