A TRUST set up to commemorate a 14-year-old girl killed in the Manchester Arena attack will officially launch in September with a gala ball.
The organisation was established in October 2018 in memory of Eilidh MacLeod from the Isle of Barra. She died along with 21 others in the attack in May 2017.
The Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust aims to support music education for young people to reflect MacLeod’s passion for piping as a member of the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band. The trust will also manage a memorial to MacLeod on Barra.
Hosted in Glasgow’s Oran Mor, the trust’s official launch, The Tartan and Tiaras Ball, will feature acts and entertainment from across Scotland.
Singer and broadcaster Michelle McManus, actor and comedian Sanjeev Kohli, Glasgow Hebridean band Trail West and bagpipe rock band Drums and Roses will join a host of young and upcoming musicians in a showcase of Scottish and Gaelic talent at the gala ball.
The black tie event on September 6 will also act as a fundraiser for the trust and feature young musicians from the Highlands and islands.
Eilidh’s Trust founder Suzanne White said: “The Tartan and Tiaras Ball will be our official launch event after several months of hard work to establish ourselves and carrying out our first major fundraising events.
“We are so grateful that so many talented people are supporting us on the night, to celebrate the trust and to help drive forward our work. There will definitely be something for everyone to enjoy.”
Still Game star and compere for the evening Kohli added: “Hosting the launch of Eilidh’s trust is an honour ... I may even brush up on my Gaelic for it.
“The ball will be a real launch pad for the trust by celebrating what it has achieved since so far and what it strives to achieve. By giving a platform to young musicians to showcase their talents demonstrates the trust’s commitment and intent to support our future musicians. I look forward to hearing their performances.”
Tickets, on sale via Eventbrite, are priced at £85 each with tables of 12 available for £960.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here