A FOOTBALL festival raising money for a programme of musical therapy for children staying in hospital has received sponsorship support from a top legal firm.
Gilson Gray sponsored the Gullane Athletic Football Festival on Saturday, helping to raise funds for the Jess Mackie Memorial Fund and musical therapy projects run by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC).
The family-friendly festival, which took place at Gullane’s Memorial Park, expected to welcome around 500 adults and children from East Lothian and beyond. In fact, over 1200 people took part – and raised over £11,500!
Vanessa Kennedy, Marketing Director at Gilson Gray, said: “We are proud of our partnership with ECHC and are always happy to use our reach and networks for good where and when we can to support their projects.
“Jess’ story is one that has had a huge impact on many around East Lothian, including the team who work in our North Berwick office.
“Hopefully we can help raise awareness of the memorial trust and the pleasure and support music therapy can bring to children undergoing treatment.”
The Jess Mackie Memorial Trust was set up in memory of North Berwick pupil, Jess Mackie, who sadly passed away on 2nd January at the age of 14.
Passionate about singing, Jess was a member of the National Youth Choir of Scotland and regularly performed at school concerts.
According to her father Michael Mackie, his daughter’s love of singing and kind heart inspired them to set up the fund to support music therapy at the Edinburgh Hospital for Sick Kids.
Speaking before the Football Festival, Michael said: “It’s fantastic that Gilson Gray are sponsoring the event and helping us to spread awareness.
“I’ve been involved with the football club in Gullane since 2007. When Jess passed away the club approached us to help us raise funds in her memory.
“What we are holding on Saturday is a community event welcoming around 400 children and 150 adults from all over East Lothian for games of football and fun for all the family.
“Jess really enjoyed singing and she found growing up that it helped with her asthma.
“Therefore, the money raised will go towards two main projects; Tinderbox Collective who regularly entertain the children in the hospital and singing activities to help with asthma-related conditions.
“Jess always took such joy in helping others. By holding fundraising events, such as the football festival, we are continuing to do what she would have done if she were still here.”
Those attending the event enjoyed BBQ, beer and prosecco tents, live music including Tinderbox Collective and a host of games for all the family.
Boys and girls football games ran from 9am-5pm, with a girls-only tournament too. A 24 team adult tournament also kicked off at 5pm.
Sue Diamond, Community Fundraising Manager at ECHC, said: “The Mackie family have been incredible and thanks to their support we were able to fund Tinderbox to bring music and music making to children during their stay in hospital.
“Participation at all levels and ability is positively encouraged and we have found many budding musicians on the wards.
“We know that Jess loved music and singing and the family wanted to recognise this in her name.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to them and the local community who have rallied around so generously to support this event and the Jess Mackie Memorial Fund.”
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