A JustGiving page opened in memory of Liam Scott to raise cash for under-privileged children has raised over £16,000 in just a few days.
Family and friends of the tragic young footballer – who died after falling into the water at the Falls of Clyde on Thursday, June 18 – decided to raise the cash to ensure that something positive could come from such a horrific accident.
And Liam’s mum Pauline and Dad Willie have asked that some of the funds also go towards purchasing much-needed safety equipment, such as life rings or SOS phones at Lanarkshire’s beauty spots in a bid to save any other families having to deal with the loss of a child in similar circumstances.
They also hope to raise awareness of the dangers of such spots, provide safety measures at the Falls of Clyde and set up The Liam Scott Foundation, which will aim to help the parents of other children across Lanarkshire who have died.
Liam’s heartbroken mum Pauline said: “The Liam Scott Foundation would help children from Holytown, where we live, and other areas across Lanarkshire who come from under-privileged backgrounds to be able to purchase football boots and other associated kit so that they too can help fulfil their dreams.
“Liam was such a talented 18-year-old with his whole life and career ahead of him and we only hope his tragic, sudden death is not in vain.
“We will also campaign for better safety measures at the Falls of Clyde and hope to install safety equipment at areas that are deemed dangerous.
“No other family should suffer in this way.
“We would like to thank everyone who has donated to this and to those who have set the page up in Liam’s memory. Thank you also for the support and kind messages received at this time.
“We really appreciate them and it just reaffirms to us how loved Liam really was.”
Eighteen-year-old Liam, a former Hamilton Accies youth player, was playing for The New Bellshill Athletic prior to his death and had a promising career at Saltire and a loving girlfriend in Courtney Brunton.
The JustGiving page, which initially had a £500 target, states: “The local community may be broken at the tragic loss of such a young life but please give whatever you can to this page so that Liam’s family can give back to the community and ensure Liam’s name and memory lives on forever.”
Bothwell businessman Francis Gilluley, a friend of the family, is also auctioning a signed framed Steven Gerard football boot for the fund.
Francis, who runs the Fighting Scots Gym in Bellshill, said “Having known Pauline, Wullie and the Mason family for a long number of years we would like to offer our support during this devastating time.”
For information about the auction please the Fighting Scots Gym Facebook page.
And to donate to the JustGiving page visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/liamscott
