Tributes have been paid to a devoted dad-of-three who died of a sudden heart attack near a Lanarkshire school.
Edmond Toma passed away on Wednesday after taking unwell while out walking in Cumbernauld.
The 57-year-old collapsed on Kildrum Road in the town and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Edmond was originally from Romania and moved to Cumbernauld in 2019 with his wife, Luliana 52.
After suffering heart failure and being put on medication four years ago, Edmond was forced to give up work and instead became a stay-at-home dad, looking after twin sons Mihai and Alex, 18, and daughter, Andrea, 13.
His heartbroken wife, Luliana, who works as a care assistant in a local care home, has described his death as a 'massive shock'.
Speaking to our sister paper, the Daily Record, Luliana said: "I had just popped to Glasgow to meet some friends. The police phoned me but wouldn't tell me anything because I was out. They didn't want to tell me [that he had died] over the phone.
"My first thought was about the kids. They phoned me saying, dad isn't home yet. I was sure he should have been home already. He was on medication but his condition was controlled. He would walk for one hour every single day and listen to music.
"I was so worried. All three kids were in the house so I knew they were safe so when the police called me the second time I said, is something wrong with my husband?
"I asked the police to tell me what happened but again they said they couldn't tell me over the phone and that they needed to see me face to face.
"I came home in a taxi and that's when they told me.
"It has been terrible for us. We still can't believe he's not with us."
Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Luliana says it is unlikely that their family in Romania will be able to travel to Scotland for Edmond's funeral as it is posing 'too dangerous'.
Luliana added: "He was a very present dad. He was very hands on. We spent a lot of time together and were just enjoying life.
"All our best friends are in Romania. The war in Ukraine is making it difficult for them to travel because they are very close with Russia there. It is very expensive to buy a plane ticket in such a short time, too."
As they don't have many friends or much of a support system in Cumbernauld bar one family who are also from Romania, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support Luliana and her children as they navigate their tragic loss.
The fundraiser has so far raised £720 of the £1200 goal.
If you would like to donate to the family's fundraiser, click here.
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