A Lanarkshire family, who lost their precious daughter and sister to cancer, are helping to support the establishment of a new bereavement service for those struggling to come to terms with the death of a loved one.
When 22-year-old Eilidh McHugh lost her short battle with the disease five years ago, her devastated parents, Elaine and Michael, and elder sister, Kerry, discovered there was a significant gap in the provision of professional bereavement support in Scotland.
That’s when they began a dialogue with Beatson Cancer Charity in an effort to bridge an anomaly that left bereft families like theirs with nowhere to turn.
Proceeds from the recent Eilidh’s Light Ball, held in the Dalziel Park Hotel in Motherwell, raised a staggering £52,400 for the charity.
The support and generosity of relatives and friends in this latest fundraising event has helped the amount raised in Eilidh’s name smash through the £400,000 barrier.
Speaking on behalf of Team Eilidh at the ball last month, Elaine and Kerry told the gathering of 280 guests that proceeds from the evening will financially support the establishment of Beatson Cancer Charity’s new bereavement service, which will offer caring and compassionate support, particularly in the first few months of a person’s loss.
“Our family, and so many of those attending the ball, unfortunately know that the loss of a loved one is one of life’s most distressing events and can be emotionally, mentally and physically overwhelming,” said Elaine, whose younger daughter’s name means ‘light.’
“Grief can affect every aspect of life and often families don’t know where to turn or how to find a way to cope with their feelings of loss.
“Through professional advice and support, individuals and families can start to understand how to live with grief, as well as have a safe space in which to share and talk about the emotional impact of their loss.”
The name of Eilidh – who graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a first class Honours degree in Pharmacy – was at the forefront of every aspect of the glittering, fundraising ball.
Guests sipped Tiffany Blue cocktails prepared by Dalziel Hotel mixologists in honour of her favourite colour, using Eilidh’s Light Gin, made by friend Mark Boswell from The Secret Garden Distillery in Edinburgh.
In composing his recipe, Mark used the vibrant flavours of sunflower, dandelion, lemon basil and lemon verbena – all representative of Eilidh’s bright personality and incredible courage. The Dalziel Hotel donated profits from the cocktails to Eilidh’s Fund.
Host and auctioneer Alex Fleming was assisted by Miss Scotland, Claudia Todd, as the gavel went down on exceptional auction prizes, which included three nights in a holiday home on Skye, a luxury champagne and dining experience on board the Northern Belle train, hospitality at Celtic Park and Ibrox stadium, and tickets to see Rod Stewart and Kevin Bridges at the Glasgow OVO Hydro.
Also going under the hammer in the silent auction were designer sunglasses, a party marquee for up to 50 people, golfing at Gleneagles, Archerfield and Haggs Castle, spa treatments, and Silverbirch garden furniture, among other outstanding prizes.
Guests were piped into the venue by David Stark, band Stereobeats quickly filled the dancefloor, and Singing Waiters by SOS were the surprise tenors of the night.
“The generosity of donations for the silent auction and auction was phenomenal, as was the bidding,” said Elaine, of Bothwell, who thanked the Beatson Cancer Charity team for their “fantastic support, reassurance and advice.”
The McHugh family also expressed their appreciation to the relatives and friends who have walked by their side for five years, and extended their thanks to other supporters who could not attend the event but instead made donations.
*Beatson Cancer Charity’s new bereavement service, and additional services on My Light: www.beatsoncancercharity.org/my-light/ will ensure as many people as possible can find direct bereavement support and information in the most challenging of times.
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