And finally…Mystery Edinburgh parking ticket donor inspires £10,000 charity drive

Last week Mairi Holden discovered £25 on the windshield of her car alongside a parking ticket after she emerged from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, having spent a worrying night by her ill son’s bed.

Inspired by the mystery donor’s random act of kindness, Ms Holden, 35, wanted to create a “snowball effect” by raising money for the hospital.

She had been rushing her son, Oscar, 4, there on Wednesday night after he developed breathing difficulties, but never thought she would have to stay the night when she hurriedly parked her car on a single yellow line in the capital’s Sylvan Place.

On returning to her car on Thursday morning, she found two parking tickets but also a note from a mystery person which read “Pay it then forget it happened!” along with £25.

Ms Holden, from Restalrig, said she did not want to take all the credit for the fundraising effort which came after she opened a Just Giving page.

She said: “It’s a collective effort of everyone who has donated.

“We have all done this and we should all feel proud, it’s not about me.

“Everyone who has donated should be feeling good about themselves. It shows the kindness of people.

“It also shows the effect a random act of kindness can have and how it can snowball.

“I can’t believe the reaction I’ve had, so many people have been touched by the story all around the world.”

Ms Holden said the money was left on the windscreen of her pink Honda Jazz.

An Edinburgh city council spokeswoman said: “Anyone is entitled to appeal a parking ticket, and we do take a sympathetic view of those fines incurred as a result of a medical emergency and other extenuating circumstances.”