'A lovely gesture': Poignant donation to Fèis Air an Oir in memory of Isle of Barra teen who died in Manchester Arena attack
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Representatives of North Coast traditional music and culture organisation Fèis Air an Oir say they have been particularly touched by a recent donation made to them.
The group has received £500 from a fund set up in memory of Eilidh MacLeod, from the Isle of Barra, who tragically died in the terrorist bombing at American singer Ariana Grande’s concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017.
Bagpipe player Eilidh, who was just 14 when she died, loved music and one of the aims of the trust is to advance the musical education for children and young people in rural areas.
Carol-Anne Farquhar, of Fèis Air an Oir, said: “I received an email from one of the trust members who wrote that a group of them were undertaking a sponsored cycle around the North Coast 500 tourism route and wanted to donate money to music groups along the way.
"We felt it was a lovely gesture and were very grateful for their support - we are delighted to receive £500.
“Some of the young people who attend our music sessions caught up with the cyclists at the Kyle of Tongue Hostel last Tuesday evening to thank them.”
Fèis Air an Oir host group and individual lessons in Strathy Hall with a variety of excellent local tutors including Addie Harper, Catriona Macleod, Emily Morrison and Richard Smith.
Ms Farquhar said: "We held a very successful week-long fèis for all ages based at Farr High School this summer. It was hailed as a great success by by all who attended and we received fantastic feedback. Plans are afoot for next year's big fèis and we will be announcing dates shortly."
Twenty-three people were killed many of them children, in the Manchester Arena attack.
The death toll included the attacker, an Islamist extremist suicide bomber who detonated a shrapnel-laden homemade bomb as people were leaving the concert.
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