By Kyle Ritchie

Copyright grampianonline

A fund that was created in memory of a Scottish teenager who died in the Manchester Arena bombing has announced this year’s grant recipients, which includes a band from Banffshire.

Eilidh MacLeod, who was 14 and from Barra, was killed in the 2017 attack and a charity was formed in her name to support young Scottish musicians.

Among the latest recipients who are receiving a share of £50,000 of funding is the Banffshire Community Band.

The aim of the group is to advance the musical participation of wind and percussion musicians. All abilities and ages living in the local area can get involved and participate in all aspects of music performance in Banffshire and the surrounding areas.

The band rehearses at Forglen Hall and performs at events throughout the area.

A total of £53,400 has been made available to more than 80 young musicians and youth music groups from Shetland to the Borders by the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust.

This is the largest amount of funding the charity has issued in a single round, with over 2000 young musicians supported across all genres and disciplines of music.

More than 100 applications were received, which is a considerable increase on last year’s funding round.

Eilidh’s Trust was established in 2018 in memory of the 14-year-old musician from the Isle of Barra who died in the Manchester Arena attack in 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 pipe band.

The trust will also manage and maintain a permanent memorial to Eilidh and a garden of remembrance and reflection on Barra.

The charity has now issued more than £150,000 worth of small grants to youth music groups across Scotland.

Iagan MacNeil of Eilidh’s Trust said: “This funding round shows that we are succeeding in our mission to build a musical legacy for Eilidh having now issued almost 200 small grants since 2018.

“We are heartened to know that our 2025 funding will allow over 2000 children and young people to grow in their talent and confidence.

“While our financial support this year covers a broad range of genres and disciplines in all parts of Scotland, we have seen an increase in requests to help alleviate the costs associated with music lessons.

“By removing financial barriers to tuition, we are helping young people to continue to realise their ambitions without fear of impacting under-pressure family budgets.

“The response to our recent funding rounds clearly demonstrates there is a need for a charity like Eilidh’s Trust where people can turn to as other music funding opportunities reduce.

“We are immensely proud of the work we do and are very grateful to everyone who supports us through fundraising.

“We urge people to continue donating and fundraising so we can have an even greater impact on more young people in the years to come.

“You can donate to Eilidh’s Trust via our JustGiving page.”

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