Memorial fund set up by family of tragic former student.

AWARDS: Prizes will help aspiring musicians develop their skills in writing and performing

A new memorial fund has been set up by the family of a tragic former Perth College student who died while on his brother’s stag do in Hamburg.

Liam Colgan was 29 when he went missing in February last year, before his body was found in the River Elbe 10 weeks later.

His family has now created the Liam Colgan Fund, which will give two annual awards for music students at the Highlands and Islands University, including Perth College.

Liam studied for a BA in music at Perth College UHI and was known for his love of music, entertaining people across the country at open mic nights and shows with his band Old Old Wooden Ship.

The Liam Colgan songwriting award and the Liam Colgan music production award will provide students with the opportunity to develop and enhance their songwriting and performing skills and keep the tragic singer’s music alive.

Brian, Liam’s father, said: “Liam’s family and close friends were devastated by his untimely death. I wanted to find a way of ensuring that something positive came out of this devastation.

“I originally planned to set up a separate charity to achieve this but once I had been in touch with the university to explain my plans, they couldn’t have been more helpful.

“They already had a framework in place which fulfilled all of my objectives.”

Alison Wilson, the university’s head of development, said: “We are very grateful to Liam’s family for thinking of giving back to the university in this way.”

During Liam’s disappearance, his Perth band, Waterday, recorded an EP to aid search efforts for their frontman.

The Best Kept Secret, featuring Liam’s voice, was released on Good Friday.

Liam was the singer and rhythm guitarist for the band, which was formed in Tayside almost a decade ago while all four members were studying music at Perth College.

Last year, Liam’s prospective sisterin-law Susan Dolan, who was due to marry his brother Eamonn Colgan, completed in the Great Scottish Run and Glasgow 10k to raise money for the Lucie Blackman Trust in memory of the musician.

I wanted to find a way of ensuring that something positive came out of this devastation. BRIAN COLGAN

Liam Colgan, 29, died while on his brother’s stag do in Hamburg.