​Newly retired couple killed in Tunisia were committed to volunteering in their community

A Scots couple killed in Tunisia were dedicated charity volunteers, it has emerged.

Jim McQuire, 66, and wife Ann, 63, from Cumbernauld, were due to fly home this week to attend the Queen’s Garden Party in Edinburgh in recognition of their volunteering.

The couple were to be recognised at Wednesday’s garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse after a lifetime of commitment to the Church of Scotland at Abronhill and for Jim’s decades of volunteering as a captain of the 5th Cumbernauld Boys Brigade company.

The newly retired couple also did charity work in Glasgow’s east end, where they originally hail from.

It is thought that more than 30 of the 38 holidaymakers killed in the beach massacre were British.

A Tunisian student linked to Islamic State (IS) group carried out the gun attack in Sousse.

Both were shot as they lay on the beach. Ann died instantly while Jim passed away in hospital.

Fellow BB officer and friend of 40-years Andrew Eadie was preparing to attend the garden party with him.

He said: "I can't make sense of it, I just can't understand the logic of what they have done.

"I understand that there are freedom fighters and there's people trying to make a point but there must be other ways than doing what they've done."

Prayers for the couple were said at the regular Sunday morning service, which was attended by relatives and friends.

Abronhill church’s minister Joyce Keyes said: "I don't think I can make any sense of it at all. My feeling is of numbness.

"They were regular holiday goers since their retirement and were really looking forward to it."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "I would like to offer my heartfelt sympathies to everyone who may have lost a loved one in this attack.”

"The threat level for the UK remains at severe and counter terrorism measures are in place to respond to this."