‘Help us make sure Rachel is still the kid in America’
Fundraiser for history making schoolgirl studying in the USA
AHALLOWE’EN fundraiser is being organised to ensure a student from Glasgow with dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon can continue to study in America.
Last year, we reported that Rachel Macrae, 18, became the first pupil from Lochend Community High to get into a university in the United States.
Her first-year tuition fees to study medicine at Marian University in Indianapolis were donated by Glasgow residents who wanted to ensure the talented student can follow her dream.
To start raising funds for her second-year tuition, Rachel’s sister and mum are now putting together a Hallowe’en party.
Joanne Macrae, Rachel’s mum said: “She has only been there for six weeks, but it’s time for us to start thinking about funding her second year.”
Rachel’s sister, Lauren Macrae came up with the idea of the event.
She added: “It’s a Hallowe’en fundraiser, fancy dress is optional. We’ll have a DJ, raffles, games and bringyour-own-bottle.
“We managed to get the raffle prizes from local businesses too.”
The event is being held at Easterhouse Parish Church on Saturday, October 30 and tickets are £5 each.
“I’m excited. I am a lover of Hallowe’en, so for us to be able to have something on and for it to be for a good cause, is great,” Lauren added.
The response on social media has been positive and more than 60 tickets have been sold already. Joanne said: “Whether we make £10, £20 or £1000, it’s still all going to the fund and it’s still helping us a lot.
We just hope people will have a good time. For many of them, this will be their first night out since lockdown.” Rachel is on a scholarship which means her fees are significantly reduced but the family are still looking to raise $20,000 – about £17,000 – for next year. Lauren said: “I’m so grateful that everybody rallied around to help us last time. I don’t think we expected the amount of help that we received.
“Now, tickets are selling, people are excited to have a night out and help Rachel again.”
The family is in close contact with Rachel, who is having a great time in America but she is expected home for Christmas.
Rachel’s former headteacher David McArthur previously said: “There is an inner something in her, she is a very special girl.
“She doesn’t even blow her own trumpet – she just does her own thing and knows what she wants but she is a very grounded and lovely person.
“She has always got a smile on her face, even though she has had her hard times too but she is never thrown off.”