Sir Paul McCartney has come to the aid of the families of two Scottish island teenagers caught up in the Manchester bomb attack.
It is a gesture that has been described as both “amazing” and “poignant” by the parents of schoolgirls Eilidh MacLeod, who tragically died, and Laura MacIntyre, who is back home after suffering serious injuries.
The ex-Beatle was moved by the plight of teenagers from Barra, in the Outer Hebrides, who were both attending their first big pop concert when terrorists struck.
Eilidh, 14, a keen piper, was one of 22 people killed in the attack at Manchester Arena. Laura, 15, has bravely returned to the island’s Castlebay Community School after spending many weeks in hospital being treated for life-threatening injuries.
The pair had travelled to see Ariana Grande on May 22.
Sir Paul has donated a special Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 6 Disc Super Deluxe (50th Anniversary Edition) boxset of what many consider the greatest ever album – which he will sign and personalise for the winner of an auction to raise funds for the two families.
News of Sir Paul’s generosity has been kept under wraps to allow time to set up the auction by leading auctioneers Bonhams, who will waive their commission fee – and will also donate the buyer’s premium to the families.
Managing director of Bonhams Knightsbridge, Jon Baddeley, said: “This is such a worthwhile cause, and we are delighted to be able to help.”
The auction on December 13 is part of the Entertainment Memorabilia sale.
Eilidh’s parents, Roddy and Marion MacLeod said:”We are extremely grateful for Sir Paul’s kind gesture.
“Eilidh was a keen piper and [his song] ‘Mull of Kintyre’ is such an iconic song for the pipes – so this donation from Sir Paul is especially poignant and fitting. People’s generosity has helped us greatly in the aftermath of our loss and we can’t thank them enough. Hopefully this auction will be well supported.”
Laura’s father Michael MacIntyre added: ”This an amazing and brilliant gesture by Paul McCartney in donating this personalised Sgt Pepper album for auction to help Laura’s recovery and her future.”
A spokesman for Sir Paul simply said: “Paul was glad to help.”