Music groups for young people across North Ayrshire and Scotland can now apply for a special £50,000 funding scheme to commemorate five years since the loss of 14-year-old musician Eilidh MacLeod from Barra.
Eilidh’s Trust was established in 2018 in memory of the talented musician from the Isle of Barra, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack during an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May 2017.
The trust supports music education for young people reflecting Eilidh’s own love of music and her musical ability and enjoyment as a piper with the local Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band. The trust will also manage and maintain a permanent memorial to Eilidh and a garden of remembrance and reflection on Barra.
The special anniversary fund seeks to ensure young musicians across the country are supported in their tuition by providing funding across a range of areas such as teaching costs, equipment, travel costs and venue hire.
Launching the funding scheme, Trust Founder Suzanne White said:
“Eilidh’s life was all about positivity, fun and friendship and that is exactly how we want her to be remembered when we mark five years since we lost her.
“By creating this special funding round we want to support as many music groups as possible so they can deliver tuition based on Eilidh’s attitude to life where young musicians flourish in their abilities and confidence.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“What happened to Eilidh MacLeod and the other victims was tragic, horrific and will have made her loved ones feel so powerless.
“It is heartening to see how Eilidh’s Trust has turned this tragedy around so now other young people are benefitting from Eilidh’s passion for music through these grants.
“In a world that applies increasing pressure on children via social media, it is crucial that children can just express themselves through arts and I encourage youth music groups across North Ayrshire to apply for this funding.”
Please contact Eilidh’s Trust outlining the following details:
● The group’s background and history
●The nature of the group’s need and how Eilidh’s Trust funding would benefit their young musicians
●The group’s compliance with all regulations for safeguarding and protection of children and young people.
Applications should be sent to:
For more information on Eilidh and the Trust, or how to apply or to donate, visit:
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