And now the fundraising has snowballed.

In addition to the launch of Farida Khan's Indian cookbook, October will see a week of events based around Lanark's Specsavers shop, culminating in a night of family fun at the Auction Market.

That night will be in memory of Kim Gardner, who died in May aged only 12. Most of the proceeds will go to two charities helping research into brain tumours.

"The fund-raising was geared round the launch of the recipe book but it has now snowballed," said Farida's daughter Rubena Kerr, an optician at Specsavers.

Farida, who lives in Carluke, has been doing cookery demonstrations in Lanarkshire for the last 35 years.

Over the years people suggested she should do a recipe book.

And following the death of two of her friends from cancer, Farida decided to write one to be sold for Cancer Research.

''Once in a lifetime such friends come into your life," she said.

''Over the past 15 or 20 years my children and friends have been asking me to write a book.

''All my recipes are unique. I have made them myself through trial and error.

''That gave me the idea. God has been fortunate with me, and I want to put someting back into society.

''So I thought I would write a cookery book and dedicate it to my friends, with all the proceeds going to charity.''

The book is a real family affair with Farida's husband, retired surgeon Majid Khan, a keen member of Carluke Camera Club, taking the photographs and Rubena securing sponsorship from Specsavers.

Farida originally planned to produce 500 books and was horrified at the costs of printing them.

But her children persuaded her that 1000 was a better number and Specsavers offered to cover the printing costs.

Then other friends expressing their interest made it clear that that would not be enough.

''I took the bull by the horns and ordered 4000 books,'' she said. ''4000 will not go a long way — they will just disappear."

It has taken Farida 10 months of hard work to produce the book and her husband has filmed a DVD demonstrating her techniques.

''The response has been phenomenal. Friends have pledged to buy books and all 43 branches of Specsavers in Scotland are taking some.''

Friends and family have also joined Specsavers to help towards the printing costs but even with the proceeds having to cover the rest, Farida is sure that Cancer Research will do well.

''Hopefully Cancer Research will get a very, very good amount,'' she said.

The book will be launched in October, and it will be available in Occasions and the Paper Box in Carluke.

"My mum thought if she could do this book, it was a way for her to do her wee bit," explained Rubena. "It's fantastic."

It was while Farida was working on her book that tragedy struck close friends of Rubena.

David and Elaine Gardner's young daughter Kim died from a brain tumour.

Both families were very close - the Kerrs and the Gardners lived near each other in Lanark, went on holiday together each year, and Rubena's children Shaun (12) and Sarah (10) were best friends with Kim.

"It has had a huge impact, particularly on our kids," said Rubena. The children went to school together, and Shaun, the same age as Kim, was deeply upset.

''You are not supposed to die at 12," said Rubena. "So if we can do anything that can help...."

Ironically, it was Rubena who first realised how ill Kim was.

In September 2004 Kim's parents asked Rubena to check her eyes as the youngster, then eight years old, was having headaches and her vision was becoming distorted.

"The moment I looked in her eyes, I knew she had a brain tumour," said Rubena. "I knew just by looking in her eyes.''

Rubena contacted Hairmyres and Yorkhill, and that night Kim was diagnosed as having an inoperable brain tumour.

"She was given only six to nine months at that point, but a trial drug kept her well for a year and a half."

That is why Rubena is so keen to raise money now for research.

Her mother's book will be launched in October, and Specsavers has agreed to carry it in every branch nationally.

But in Lanark there will be other events, including a sponsored parachute jump with proceeds going to Robin House which supported Kim well, and St Andrew's Hospice. There will also be cake sales.

And on Friday, October 24, a huge fund-raising night will be held at the auction market in memory of Kim.

One part of it will be a race night, and there will also be an auction with lots which already include a trial flying lesson, a sail to Rothesay, and dinner for six cooked by Farida.

"Lots of local businesses are already donating vouchers and taking tables," said Rubena. "We are looking for more local businesses to support us by sponsoring races, sponsoring horses, maybe taking tables, or donating prizes.''

Two charities backing research into brain tumours in children, the Samantha Dickson Trust, and the Kieran Mess Foundation, will be the main beneficiaries of that night, along with the Lockhart Hospital.

To offer a donation or to take a table, contact Rubena at Specsavers on 01555 661166.