Memorial plaque to Kirkcaldy girl killed by speeding driver is replaced after 20 years

Alyshia Balfour was killed in the Valley Gardens area of Kirkcaldy by a speeding driver in 2001. She was just nine years old. A plaque has sat next to a memorial cairn marking the spot where she was killed, but, in recent years it had fallen into disrepair.

However, thanks to the efforts of Alyshia’s mum, Karen Brady, plus Councillor Ian Cameron and local MSPs Jenny Gilruth and David Torrance, the plaque has since been replaced with an updated brass version.

Karen said: “Because it sits is on the road side, and the wear and tear of the traffic going past, the plaque had become unrecognisable. Because I now stay in Glenrothes, I was advised by David Torrance’s office that I would need to contact Jenny Gilruth. She did a lot of the work to help me apply to Fife Council for funding to get the plaque replaced. We got some quotes and Memorial Plaques and Glenrothes actually came back with one which the council accepted, and we got it made up.”

The cairn itself has been maintained in recent years by Bob McDonald, and Karen was keen to thank him for his efforts.

She said: “He goes down and maintains the actual cairn for me and removes all the moss – because it's on the main road it’s quite hard to get down and clean it. He’s been really good for that.”

Cllr Cameron said: “This tragedy was, and is, the worst thing imaginable for a family. When Alysha died aged only nine, the pain that the family felt and continues to manage, is immense. The cairn is a fitting tribute to Aliysha's life and its location in the Valley continues to send a strong message to other young ones and families to be extra cautious when near traffic.

“Supporting the provision of a new plaque for the family from the Settlement Trust fund was an easy decision and I am pleased that it brings some comfort. The whole community will continue to benefit from the cairn which keeps Alysha's memory and story alive.”