Hundreds of people reached out with love on January 23, a year since the passing of the exceptional Perth teenager, Lily Douglas.
In that time around £15,000 has been donated to a charity fund set up in the young dancer’s name. It is mum Jane’s goal to fundraise and eventually use Lily’s Legacy to buy a property on Loch Tay that can be used to give sick children and their families respite breaks.
Lily was diagnosed in 2017 when she was just nine with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer that particularly strikes young people.
For years it had seemed hopeful she might recover and in between operations the vivacious girl travelled to watch Strictly dance stars perform, went to pop concerts and attended ballet performances. She made upbeat TikTok videos and made a close friendship with Dame Arlene Phillips and singing legend Lewis Capaldi.
Mum Jane marked January 23, the first anniversary of 14-year-old Lily’s death, by heading to Aberdeen’s P&J Live to watch Lewis sing in concert.
She was excited to catch the singer’s big show with Lily’s school pal from St John’s RC Academy in Perth, Cerys Robertson.
“That’s where Lily would have wanted me to be,” Jane told the PA.
She put out a touching message to Lily on social media: “One whole year without your smile. One whole year of not hearing your voice. One whole year of not waking up to your beautiful smile. One whole year of missing you inspiring me with your kindness and empathy for others.
“A lifetime of my heart broken in a million pieces.
“You were born to dance. You lived to inspire. You died to create a legacy. Love you more always.”
In the months after her daughter’s passing, Jane has started a charity called Lily’s Legacy. It will meet officially for the first time in February.
“A web page is on the way and we are going to be fundraising this year. Lily already has more than £15k in her fund,” explained Jane.
Lily was dear in local people’s hearts for her courage and determination in the hardest of circumstances.
She was well known in Scotland for winning dancing trophies for her energetic street dance routines and she continued to add wins despite being ill.
Lily gained some remission but a beneficial drug trial had to stop because of the pandemic and her mum isolated with her for many long months when catching Covid was a critical concern.
Lily suffered a stroke and needed a wheelchair, curtailing her adventures, but not before she was rewarded at the Pride of Scotland Awards, receiving the Teenager of Courage award in 2021.
The country was devastated when she died on January 23 last year.
Her funeral at St Matthew’s Church on Tay Street had outdoor screens and Lewis Capaldi appeared specially to sing for her.
Dame Arlene Phillips spoke at the memorial service of a “magical” box of friendship memories Lily had gifted to her before she went on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.
“For me, the only way I can think of Lily is... magical,” the famous choreographer said at Lily’s packed funeral.
“She represents everything magical. She enchants everyone who meets her. She is loved by anyone who has the chance to get to know her. And she spreads love everywhere.”
Pink balloons were all over the church and songs from Lily’s favourite musical Wicked were sung by heartbroken friends and relatives.
Exactly a year on, several hundred friends on Facebook sent their support to Jane Douglas, aware that since losing Lily her life has been changed forever.
One of Lily’s early dance teachers, Brooke Robertson of Perth studio Inspire, paid her own tribute: “Miss Lily you were one of a kind and we miss you so very much. Thoughts and love to your family today.
“You put the inspire into inspire. You really did.”
