A SCULPTURE to capture the spirit of a teenage bagpiper killed in the Manchester Arena bomb attack will herald the start of a musical legacy to keep her memory alive.
Eilidh MacLeod, 14, from Barra in Scotland, was one of the 22 victims killed by a terrorist bomb following an Ariana Grande concert two years ago today.
A cousin of her dad Roddy, Suzanne White, who lives in Winsford, has created a charity, the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust to help children and young people fulfil their musical dreams.
The mum-of-two led her son Alex, 15, daughter Emily, 12, and 50 relatives and friends, all wearing Team Eilidh t-shirts, to take part in the Great Manchester Run on Sunday.
Team Eilidh were overwhelmed with support from crowds cheering them on at the Great Manchester Run
Around 35 of the runners plan to complete the Edinburgh Marathon this Sunday.
"We're hoping to raise £10,000, " said Suzanne, 43, whose parents come from the Outer Hebrides."I had absolutely no running experience and went from couch to 10k. BTB Fitness Academy got us in shape.
Team Eilidh wants to thank BTB Fitness Academy in Winsford for helping to get them in shape for marathon running
"It was incredibly poignant running in Manchester. The support from the crowds was incredible. A mass pipe band piped us in as a tribute to Eilidh. It was very emotional."
Eilidh was a member of the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band. A life-sized bronze sculpture featuring a young female bagpiper reaching out a hand to a young boy who is learning to play the instrument will be unveiled in summer 2020.
Eilidh was a member of the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band and a very talented piper
"Eilidh was a very talented piper," said Suzanne. "She was very passionate about her music. Her dad says she was shy but when she had the bagpipes she could have stood up at Wembley Stadium and happily played. It gave her great confidence.
"We want the memorial design to be in keeping with this ethos. The trust will afford other young people the opportunities Eilidh had.
"My parents are retired and from Barra which is beautiful and very picturesque but doesn't offer young people the same access to opportunities as children in Glasgow.
Trustees of the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust, Victoria Ferguson, Iagham MacNeil and Suzanne White
"We want to support to support young people in terms of their music aspirations.
"We want to thank a lot of people from Winsford and local businesses who have helped us with fundraising. Everyone has become involved and got behind us."
A charity ball will be held in Glasgow on September 6.
Eilidh's family want the memorial to remember the teenager and all the bereaved and injured but also to portray the love, support and resilience of everyone who has supported all the families.
Iagan Macneil, Andy Burnham, who has agreed to unveil Eilidh's sculpture, and Angus MacPhail at the Great Manchester Run
"We want to take something very tragic and horrific and turn it into something positive," said Suzanne, who often returns to her home in Barra with her family. "This charity will give us something to aim for and look forward to in the future.
"It is allowing us to give something back to the community.
"Hopefully we will see the young people we help performing on stage at some point."
To donate visit justgiving.com/campaign/teameilidh or eilidhstrust.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here