Ladies celebrate Eilidh’s birthday
Bash to mark her 23rd take charity total to over £54k
Friends and family of Eilidh McHugh celebrated her 23rd birthday by raising more than £ 7500 in her memory for charity.
The student, who worked at Overtown Pharmacy, passed away in March after a very short battle with an aggressive form of cancer.
Eilidh’s friends and family have been on a mission ever since to raise money in her name.
And the latest event at the weekend has now taken the overall total to over £54,000.
Eilidh’s sister Kerry thanked everyone for making the fundraiser on Saturday, September 2, a huge success. She said: “What an amazing weekend, remembering my beautiful sister Eilidh.
“The updated total amount from everyone who joined us on Saturday is £ 7620, along with a few donations from friends who couldn’t make it, all of which takes the fund to a staggering £54,330.”
Eilidh was only 22 when she lost her battle with cancer in March.
The popular student would have celebrated her 23rd birthday on September 1, so her family and friends held the ladies’ lunch the following day.
They gathered at the Clydesdale Hotel and all of the funds raised on the day will go to the Beatson.
Eilidh’s name means ‘light’ in Gaelic, so everyone wore white outfits to reflect that on the day. DJ Suzie McGuire hosted the ladies’ lunch and said: “It may have been her birthday but what a wonderful gift she has given to others who will benefit from the donations in her name going to Beatson Cancer Charity.
“I was so touched by the kindness and generosity extended by all those who knew and loved her.”
Other fundraisers have already been a big success.
More than 400 people gathered at Hamilton’s David Lloyd Centre in June to pay tribute to a ‘wonderful sister and friend’ at Eilidh’s Day.
An incredible £13,000 was raised from the charity walk and fun day – and then retired Lanarkshire businessman Les Hutchison offered to make a donation which took the sum to £30,000.
North Lanarkshire Council’s housing services team, where Eilidh’s mum Elaine works as housing head of service, also donated £ 1000 to the Beatson charity in memory of the trainee pharmacist.
Eilidh was nearing the end of her pre-registration year to become a pharmacist when she died.
The former Holy Cross High School dux graduated with distinction from Strathclyde University last summer.
Go online to www. beatsontributefund. org/ fund/ Eilidhs% 20Fund to make a donation in Eilidh’s name to the Beatson.