In Loving meory of Allan Gillespie

Jan 8 2009 by Andrew Newport, Paisley Daily Express

FRIENDS of tragic cancer victim Allan Gillespie have handed over cash to a hard-working charity in the hope that others don’t suffer like their pal.

Allan lost his battle with the deadly Hodgkin’s Disease – a form of lymphatic cancer – at the end of May, last year at the age of 24, after a six-year struggle.

But his gutsy efforts to beat the disease impressed his friends so much that even 18-months after his tearful passing, they are still raising money for cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

They hosted a charity night in remembrance of Allan’s birthday in Lorimer's Pub in Bishopton at the end of November and recently handed over the sum of £251 to the group’s Richard Donald.

The event was organised by Lynsey McCloy, who along with wee brother Murray was a close friend of Allan, who lived in Bishopton.

She said: “There is a group of about 20 of us who all went to school together and who were really close to Allan.

“He used to drink in Lorimer's and was well known to everyone our age in there and that’s why everyone was so keen to get involved in raising cash for the charity.”

Allan’s mum Margaret and dad Allan senior were devastated by their boy’s passing but said they were touched by his friends efforts.

Earlier this year, the couple hosted their own charity night a year on from Allan’s death and raised over £300 which also went to CLIC Sargent.

Margaret said: “It makes us so proud of Allan that people are still remembering him. He is still missed by such a lot of people and it shows to us just how special a person Allan was.

“CLIC Sargent is an organisation that helped Allan so much when he was diagnosed back in 2001 and he really appreciated all their help and we feel we want to now be able to help others who can benefit as well.”