Uni’s relay effort raises £2650 in tribute to Eilidh
Sporting challenge cash will aid rescue team
We thank them for thinking of us and raising the funds for us Bill Rose Killin MRT
A month-long fundraiser launched in memory of a Stirling University student who tragically died at a Callander beauty spot in 2019 has raised more than £2600.
Last month, the Observer told how members of the Stirling University Women’s Rugby Football Club (SUWRFC) were taking on a relay race to raise money in memory of former player Eilidh McNab who lost her life at Bracklinn Falls in August 2019.
Eilidh, from Lockerbie, tragically died after a frantic bid to rescue her at the popular beauty spot by Killin Mountain Rescue Team (Killin MRT).
A major emergency service response was sparked following reports of two women experiencing ‘difficulty’ in the water at the popular tourist attraction.
Two women, aged 23 and 25, were traced and rescued from the water but one of them, Eilidh, was pronounced dead at the scene. It’s understood that once in the river Eilidh was dragged around 50 yards downstream by the current into another pool and became trapped under the water.
Eilidh was a keen rugby player and members of the team decided to raise the cash in Eilidh’s memory for the volunteers at Killin MRT, by completing the relay throughout February, with one team member completing a 5km run, walk, and cycle every day.
At the completion of the effort, a total of £2650 was raised.
The team took to social media following the completion of the effort. They posted: ‘As we have come to the end of our team relay challenge to raise money for Killin Mountain Rescue Team in memory of Eilidh McNab, we believe that some thank yous are needed.
‘Firstly, a big thank you to all of members of the team who took part, running, walking or cycling 5k. You should all be so proud of yourselves in all that you have achieved this month.
‘Secondly, a big thank you to Stirling University Women’s Hockey Club, Stirling Storm Touch Club, University of Stirling Touch Rugby Club and Stirling University Women’s
Basketball who all got involved in the challenge in their own way, by taking part, donating, and even taking part in their own challenges throughout the month. Thank you for your help in raising money for an amazing charity.
‘Thirdly, a big thank you to everyone who has donated. We are completely overwhelmed at the number of donations that we have received and couldn’t be more grateful for all of your support.’
Last month, SUWRFC president Emily Russell told the Observer: “Eilidh was like the team’s mum. She was part of our team for five years and she was the glue that held us together. She was a real big part of the team, on and off the pitch.
“We obviously get a new intake of players each year, but everyone was up for doing the relay.
“We initially set a target of £300, but we had passed that before the challenge had even begun. We wanted to do something for Killin Mountain Rescue as that is near and dear to our hearts.”
Bill Rose, of Killin MRT said: “It was a real tragedy.
“A lot of Eilidh’s friends and family have ben really badly affected by what happened to her. We often see when we’re at Bracklinn Fall little tributes and things like that there for Eilidh.
“When we are up at Bracklinn Falls we often think about Eilidh and what happened that day and I know that Eilidh was deeply involved with the rugby team at the university so we thank them for thinking of us and raising the funds for us.”