A mother who received a parking ticket while her son was in hospital has thanked the "amazing" stranger who left cash on her windscreen to help pay the fine.

Mairi Holden returned to her car after an unexpected overnight stay at Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital to find two penalty notices.

Tucked underneath one of the tickets was a £20 and £5 note, and a message saying: "Pay it then forget it happened."

Ms Holden, touched by the random act of kindness, decided to pay it forward by using the cash to set up a fundraiser for the hospital that treated her son Oscar.

Donations to her Just Giving appeal have already exceeded £1,500.

She said on her fundraising page: "A very kind stranger put £25 under my parking ticket after I parked on a single yellow line outside the Sick Kids Hospital Edinburgh.

"I had to get Oscar in as soon as I could, and ended up having an overnight stay.

"I am starting by doubling the money I received and putting it back into the hospital.

"Imagine when the anonymous stranger finds out just what has happened as a result of doing such a lovely thing. I think they may have been an older lady or gentleman judging by the hand writing."

Ms Holden posted a picture of the cash and note on her Facebook page yesterday and it has since been shared more than 13,500 times.

Thousands of people have commented on the kindness of the stranger, who Ms Holden is keen to track down.

She wrote in the post: "Would love to find out who did this! I'm still in a lovely feeling of shock!!

"Please share - maybe I'll be able to get in touch with this beautiful person!

"I'm still overwhelmed at the kindness of it. I'll never forget it, and if anyone has any idea of who it could have been, or recognises the writing or note paper, please let me know, I'd love to be able to thank them!"

Ms Holden also paid tribute to staff at the hospital.

She said: "The staff are amazing and work around the clock to save lives and help others. I am truly grateful for the fabulous service we have in the NHS."