So close to dream of a respite home
Eilidh family’s hopes are nearing fruition
Parents of a Stirling teenager who passed away from cancer say the appeal to create a respite home in her name has raised an incredible £429,000.
However, a further £125,000 is still needed to see the dream become a reality.
The Eilidh Brown Respite Home looks set to be built at a cost of £554,000 on a tranquil site near Thornhill.
And her family hope that a final push - including a charity ball next month - will get them to the target.
Eilidh tragically passed away on March 25, 2010, following a 14-month battle with rare germ cell cancer. She was just 15 years old.
Before she died, she and her family had one last holiday together in the specially-designed retreat known as Calum’s Cabin.
Dad Gordon said: “This holiday meant everything to us. It meant we could spend quality time together, making every moment count. Eilidh wanted other families to have these magical moments together too.”
Eilidh’s wish was to build a special respite holiday home in the Scottish countryside near her home in Stirling, a sanctuary where other young people and their families could have a much needed break from the realities of living with cancer.
Her family set up the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund to make her dream come true and ensure her memory will live on through the families across the UK who can visit the home and create their own irreplaceable memories.
Gordon added: “Full planning permission has been granted and our dream is to start building in May this year.
“The respite home will be built into tranquil, rolling countryside with stunning panoramic views. The home will be full of light and specially designed with walkways for wheelchair use and roof windows so children can look up at the stars.
“New trees will be planted in the grounds with a secret path leading to a special viewpoint. It will be a magical holiday home.
“Many parents are unable to work while their child is in treatment or recovering from cancer and often cannot afford a family holiday.
“The home will benefit up to 400 people - children and their families affected by cancer every single year. They will come to the home from across the UK entirely free of charge.”
The family hopes the latest fundraising events will help propel the charity towards its goal.
A “Roaring 20s Charity Ball” is being held at The Parsonage at Dunmore Park on Saturday March 4.
The charity evening will include star food, drinks and entertainment, along with a fabulous auction with great prizes.
For information and bookings telephone (01324) 831393 or email: claire.blackadder@parsonage. dunmore.com.
Meanwhile, top DJs are heading to Stirling’s Fubar for ‘Dance For Eilidh 2’ on Friday February 24 from 9pm until 3am, organised by Alex Mullen (aka DJ Technotrance). Radio Clyde’s Breakfast Show host George Bowie will be there, as well as Ultrasonics main man Mallorca Lee and Newcastle legend Bass Generator. There is also Streetrave’s John Mancini and DJ Obession, John Devlin and Bob Mitchell plus MCs Boney and Mc G. Entry is £8 and all proceeds will go the memorial fund.
To find out more about the charity, events, or how to make a donation go to www.eilidhbrown.co.uk, or see facebook.com/EildihBrown. AppealandMemorialFund/ or Twitter @EBMemorialFund.