‘You helped make Eilidh dream real’

Thanks go out as teen’s respite home idea is realised

People across Stirling have helped to achieve the dream of inspirational teenager Eilidh Brown.

Earlier this week thanked the people of Stirling for helping them create their daughter’s legacy - a respite and holiday home for children and young people with cancer near Thornhill, which was officially opened on Monday by Scottish rockers The Fratellis.

After Eilidh passed away from cancer 12 years ago, just days before her 16th birthday, her parents Gordon and Nicole appealed to the people of Stirling to get behind their bid to create the house.

And locals responded by raising more than £600,000 through everything from marathons to bake sales.

“The people of Stirling can be really proud of this house because it is here because of them,” said Nicole. “This is what I envisaged. It’s a love story this house. Built with love. For the love of Eilidh.”

Eilidh was described by friends and family as “a shining example and

The people of Stirling can be really proud of this house because it is here because of them...it’s a love story this house Nicole Brown

spectacular person, selfless, strong, positive and funny with an amazing understanding of the world”.

This week her parents expressed their heartfelt thanks to the people of Stirling who helped to turn the dream into a reality.

In 2010 Gordon told the Observer they weren’t sure if they’d manage to raise a penny but they had to try, adding: “I think that’s because this is so personal to us that if we failed it would like failing Eilidh and that be too much to bear.

“We have a lot of good friends and family supporting us, but the only way this is going to work is if the people of Stirling get behind us.”

And get behind them they did.

The family set up the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund in 2011 and since then, and with the help of four volunteers, the Stirling community has helped them raise more than £600,000 to build the stunning open plan home with a panoramic window making the most of stunning and peaceful countryside views.

Land was earmarked for the home in a picturesque setting near Thornhill, on land generously donated by farmers William and Vicky Ferguson, of Munnieston Farm, who learned about the appeal through the Stirling Observer, with the building created by builder John Mcleod and architect Ally Croll.

The family said the contribution of all four had been overwhelming - and that so many more people could be proud of their role.

“A few years in I said, this is Stirling’s charity,” said Nicole. “People went out and did bake sales, marathons, 10ks, made jam, you name it. The way everyone got behind this was more than we could have ever imagined.”

Pictured here are just some of the many people who did Eilidh and her family proud.

090522house_01a Dream home The respite and holiday house near Thornhill is now complete and will welcome the first families this summer

Memorable day Eilidh’s parents Gordon and Nicole with Mince and Jon Fratelli and Eilidh’s aunt, actress Simone Lahbib in the new respite home this week

Creative An Art for Eilidh event was held at Strathallan Castle with local artists Greer and Aileen Ralston

Heartfelt Frances Cummings (left), with Mhairi Taylor and daughter Ella, organised a Red Hearts day to raise money for Eilidh’s charity

Inspired Stirling mum Katie Anderson’s son Ben set her daily challenges to raise funds

Jamming Thornhill Gala Day offered another fundraising opportunity

Handover Staff at Stirling accountancy firm Macfarlane Gray helped

Running with it A Bannockburn 10k raised more than £13,000

Lasting legacy Eilidh