Star-studded concert in Stirling to remember Eilidh Brown

Dec 15 2010 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Wednesday

TICKETS are selling fast for a star-studded charity concert organised by the family of a much-loved Stirling teenager, who lost her battle with cancer.

'For the Love of Eilidh', being staged at the macrobert on January 15, looks set to be unforgettable, featuring both big names in the world of music, showbiz and the arts, as well as relatives and friends of Eilidh Brown.

The evening brings together some of Scotland’s finest talent such as Jon Fratelli, Lord of the Rings actor Billy Boyd, Mark Cox and Jane McCarry (Still Game), and Tom Urie and Claire Knight (River City), with Alan McHugh – who featured in High Road, with Eilidh’s actor dad Gordon Brown – as compere.

The evening will finish with a raffle/auction with a host of prizes and a free after-party with DJs in the macrobert foyer.

Eilidh’s family are aiming to raise as much money as possible to build a respite home in the Stirling area for young cancer sufferers and their families from both this area and across the country.

Her mum Nicole said: “It’s easy for those of us who live in and around Stirling to forget what a picture postcard place it is. For other families – both here and from across the UK – who are going through difficult times, to get something from being here would be a great tribute to Eilidh.”

Eilidh collapsed on a school trip in February 2009. A scan showed she had a tumour the size of a melon which was promptly removed, along with Eilidh’s left ovary.

Tests showed the tumour was malignant and that she also had a form of Turners Syndrome, a chromosomal disorder which occurs in one out of 2000 girls and is likely to have made her predisposed to germ cell cancer in her ovaries.

Despite several major operations and gruelling treatments, her fight for life ended on March 25 this year, just nine days before her 16th birthday.

The Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund was set up by her aunt, Bad Girls and Wire in the Blood actress Simone Lahbib.

The concert will be an emotional night for all Eilidh’s family, particularly her parents Nicole and Gordon, sister Hannah (12) and brother Lewis (10), but also one which they hope will also raise as much money as possible to help support other families.

For tickets, priced at £25, telephone the macrobert on (01786) 466666 or book online at www.macrobert.org. For more information on the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund and how to donate go to: www.eilidhbrown.co.uk