FRIENDS of a Glasgow councillor who died at the age of 37 have launched a fundraising appeal in his memory.

Andrew Muir, who was Labour councillor for Baillieston from 2008 until 2011, passed away on August 15 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Labour councillors expressed shock at his death, which followed the loss of three other Labour stalwarts this year including Cardonald councillor Alistair Watson and Gerald Leonard.

Friends of Mr Muir have now launched a fundraising page on Justgiving for the charity Marie Curie, which has raised hundreds so far.

The charity gives families access to specialist nurses to allow terminally ill patients to be cared for at home as well as providing staff for hospices.

Jaqueline Murray, a friend and former colleague, said: "Andrew was taken from us all far to soon and with the blessing of the Muir family this page has been set up to give support to the hard work and commitment of Marie Curie nurses who helped the family care for Andrew in his last weeks.

"Lets keep his memory alive by donating in his honour."

Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist and one of the most famous scientists of her time.

Together with her husband Pierre, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1903, and she went on to win another in 1911.

The Curie's research was crucial in the development of x-rays in surgery.

During World War One Curie helped to equip ambulances with x-ray equipment, which she herself drove to the front lines.

Despite her success, Marie continued to face great opposition from male scientists in France, and she never received significant financial benefits from her work.

She died on 4 July 1934 from leukaemia, caused by exposure to high-energy radiation from her research.

To contribute to the page go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jacky-murray