A Scottish production of the iconic Les Misérables musical, put on as part of the first time the rights have been released to amateur companies, has raised more than £2,200 in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
The Lyric Club, a Glasgow-based musical theatre company, performed from 23ʳᵈ to 27ᵗʰ April as part of Let The People Sing, a national project marking the 40ᵗʰ anniversary of the show’s West End debut. The performances supported a cause close to the cast’s hearts, fundraising in memory of Graham McKie, who died in 2006 from a glioblastoma.
The McKie family has already raised more than £50,000 through bake sales, the Glasgow Kilt Walk, silent auctions and other community events, all in the hope of finding a cure. Graham’s parents, Don and Rachel (pictured below with Graham), said: “Clan McKie is extremely grateful to The Lyric Club of Glasgow for choosing Brain Tumour Research as its charity. Thanks to Graham’s friend Morven McCallum, who is a member of the club and part of the cast, it’s a powerful tribute to his memory.”
In 2005, Graham began experiencing severe headaches on Boxing Day, later discovering it was due to an incurable grade 4 glioblastoma growing on his brain. Despite a strong determination to survive, Graham died less than a year later, in August 2006, at the age of 32.
Rachel, Graham’s mum, continued: “Since Graham’s devastating diagnosis, we’ve prayed for 19 years for a breakthrough. Now, with the launch of the new Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence this January, that hope is finally becoming a reality.
“To this amazing cast and production team, we give our heartfelt thanks. And to every person attending a performance, thank you for helping us raise money to fund research that could one day lead to a cure.”
Find out how to get fundraising or simply donate to find a cure.
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