Teens raise £12k in memory of pal Louis

Friends of a teenager who died of cancer have raised thousands of pounds to help other young people with the illness.

Louis Gibson, a pupil at Queensferry High, died last year at the age of 14.

His classmates Caitlin Findlay and Lucy Kendrew have been working tirelessly to raise money in his memory ever since and have collected 12,000 so far.

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They are hoping to add to the impressive total next week with a variety show at the school.

The girls have got the whole school involved, auditioning potential acts including dancers, singers and bands and have even roped in teachers to put on a performance.

Karen Dickson, a guidance teacher at the school, praised the fifth-year pair's hard work.

She said: "The girls have been fantastic. It's something they first thought of towards the end of fourth year and they've been working on it for the last couple of months.

"They work really hard and are still studying on top of organising this event.

"They have got everybody doing something.

"The community are really drawn together because of Louis's death."

She added: "The girls are going to highlight why this has all come about, particularly to the first years who might not have known Louis.

"Louis's little brother is joining the school next year so it will be even more important."

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Louis lost his battle with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, in January last year and his classmates wanted to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity which had helped the family.

Caitlin and Lucy, both 16, first became friends with Louis at nursery.

They have carried out numerous fundraising drives, including present wrapping at the Gyle shopping centre, leg waxing, sponsored walks and cake stalls.

The show is expected to raise another 2000, which will go to recently-established Edinburgh charity It's Good 2 Give! which helps young people and families affected by cancer.

As well as organising and managing the variety show, Lucy will be doing a dance performance while Caitlin will be singing in a band.

Caitlin, 16, said: "Everyone has been really supportive of what we're doing and we are really proud. Louis's parents are coming along to the show."The Teenage Cancer Trust will also be visiting the school to increase cancer awareness.

Caitlin added: "We want to make sure that people in the school are aware of the help they can get if they have cancer or has a friend with cancer and that there are people there who they can speak to."

Louis's friends also created a memorial garden - called Louis's Garden - within the school grounds.

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They transformed an overgrown patch of land into the memorial garden, planted new flowers and erected a plaque.

The variety show will be held at Queensferry High on Tuesday and starts at 7pm.

Tickets are available from the school.