The belle of the ball
Eilidh lives prom dream
Eilidh Mackay will go to the prom. That was the 16- yearold’s dream as she battled leukaemia and endured gruelling cancer treatment for months. And here is the picture to show the beautiful schoolgirl made it to her big night dressed in a stunning blue gown. The Carrick Academy pupil said: “I really enjoyed my prom and being part of it all with my friends and feeling like a princess. I liked feeling normal like everyone else.” Eilidh’s night was made even more special by bighearted businesswoman Victoria Williamson, who gave her the glittering dress for free. Ayr Beau Beau Boutique owner Victoria, who also fought breast cancer, got to know Eilidh when her mum Lisa arranged an appointment. Lisa, 45, said: “Eilidh has had a really tough time of it. It has been a rollercoaster. “At times she was not expected to pull through but she has kept fighting. “To see her at her prom makes us so proud of her. She is remarkable.” The Maybole teen was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow in 2016 after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia ( ALL). Following chemotherapy treatment and losing her hair she returned home for a few months in 2017 but after a routine operation her health deteriorated again and she was readmitted to hospital for more long months. But now she is recovering with her family in Maybole, taking maintenance m e d i c a t i o n a n d undergoing physiotherapy. Mother- of- two Lisa said: “She is keeping well and looking great. Everything is going in the right direction. She has been relying on a wheelchair but is building her strength up.” Eilidh’s magical prom night took place at the Western House Hotel in Ayr on June 21. Victoria, who holds a gown giveaway every year, decided Eilidh should be the winner. Bella Mani staff joined in to style her hair and makeup while Cherry Soda let her choose sparkling jewellery and a clutch bag for free. Lisa said: “They gave her a dream prom experience. Everybody was very kind. They were great with her. She had a great time. It was just perfect.” Former Miss Scotland Victoria, 48, underwent a mastectomy after having cancer but has been in remission for five years. She messaged Eilidh with dress ideas while she was in a hospital bed. Victoria said: “I thought if I’m going to give a prom dress away who better to give it to than Eilidh? “I sent her designs when she was in hospital. It gave her something to plan and look forward to. “We found a beautiful Ellie Wilde shift gown in periwinkle blue. It really complemented her eyes. She looked amazing.”