The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Sir Paul’s box set raises £2,700 for Arena victims
A Beatles box set gifted by Sir Paul McCartney for two families affected by the Manchester Arena attack has sold for £2,700 at auction.
Eilidh MacLeod, 14, died and her friend Laura MacIntyre, 15, was seriously injured in the attack at the Ariana Grande concert on May 22.
Soon after the tragedy Sir Paul donated a special Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band box set, which was auctioned at Bonhams in London yesterday.
The musician has agreed to personally dedicate and personalise the box set of the Beatles album to the successful bidder and his gesture has been described as “amazing and brilliant” by the girls’ parents.
Eilidh was one of 22 people who died in the bombing at Manchester Arena.
Her parents Roddy and Marion MacLeod said: “We are extremely grateful for Sir Paul’s kind gesture.”
Laura has returned to the island’s Castlebay Community School after spending many weeks in hospital being treated for serious injuries.
Her father Michael MacIntyre said: “This is an amazing and brilliant gesture by Paul McCartney in donating this personalised Sgt Pepper album for auction to help Laura’s recovery and her future.”
A spokesman for Sir Paul said he was glad to help.
Bonhams has waived its commission fee and will donate the buyer’s premium to the families.
The box set is part of the Entertainment Memorabilia sale and featured as the last lot in a section devoted to Beatles memorabilia.
Western Isles councillor Donald Manford, who represents the Barra ward and is Eilidh’s great-uncle, said: “People’s generosity of spirit continues to be awe-inspiring and sustains the families through the difficult times.”