Supporters rallied behind special cause
When she was going through chemo and she would sometimes feel panic she would lie and look up at the stars and the moon and they helped her feel calm again.
“But I also love that you can hear people playing and having fun in the games room.”
Contemplating what Eilidh would have thought of the house and all the effort that has made it possible, Gordon and Nicole give a heartbreaking smile as they so obviously imagine her reaction.
“For people to have done this in her name, she would say ‘what’s all the fuss about’,” said Gordon. “She was very humble. She would love it though. She would be proud of the house.
“A teacher brought her something when she was going through her treatment and she couldn’t understand why they were making so much fuss of her. She was brought up to be humble, there were no airs and graces. I guess there’s a certain Scottishness in that just that no one is better than anyone else and you are no better than the guy next door, but you are as good as and no better.”
“This is what I envisaged,” said Nicole. “It’s a love story this house. Built with love. For the love of Eilidh.”
Eilidh’s aunt, actress Simone Lahbib, has been one of the driving forces of the charity, with its emblem based on a design she had created with Eilidh herself.
With a loyal following of fans, she and Eilidh’s family have also been touched by their support.
As one of British television’s most successful actresses, Simone’s career boasts everything from The Young Person’s Guide to Becoming a Rock Star and Wire in the Blood to Da Vinci’s Demons and most recently BBC soap Eastenders.
But it is her role as governor Helen Stewart in the prison drama Bad Girls which has probably afforded her cult status.
Fans have supported the Bad Girls conventions, raising around £70,000 for the charity.
Eilidh’s dad Gordon is an actor known for roles in the likes of Take the High Road and Taggart and he has acted in TV and film roles, including alongside none other than Hollywood star Ryan Gosling.
However, the family are as down to earth as they come.
Simone said:“nicole and Gordon were always authentic. When you’re not, people see through it.
“I’m an auntie not a parent but this cause has always been hugely important to me right from the outset.
“I’m beyond excited to finally be at this point, ready to to welcome the first family to Eilidh’s House. So many people have put their hearts and souls into the house, so for all of them too it’s just wonderful to finally be here. I know Eilidh would be so proud of her family and what they have achieved. I hope it makes treasured memories for all the families who come to stay.”
Gordon said:“people think because we are actors we have all sorts of contacts and know everyone in the industry but I don’t run in showbiz circles. I probably know about seven people in the business - and they are probably as skint as me. I’m just a weirdo who wants to get home to the family! I’ve even been asked why I was taking the bus before.
“We didn’t even know The Fratellis. I just took the chance and sent them a note and they came on board. They were great.
“And Tom Urie we had never met before the first For the Love of Eilidh
There’ll be more to do as there always is but just for a moment everyone who worked their heart out to realise this dream can take a breath and feel a sense of heartfelt pride that Eilidh’s respite home will soon offer young people and their families the precious space that Eilidh envisioned.”
Scottish actor and songwriter Tom Urie, best known most recently for the BBC soap River City, is also a patron of the charity.
He said:“i’m completely over the moon that, after all these years of hard work and dedication, the project has reached fruition.
“I was welcomed into