Money raised in memory of inspirational teenager

Mar 4 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

THE memory of an inspirational West Lothian teenager is driving on a family friend to raise thousands for a cancer charity.

In June 2008, Alan Biggar drove his 50-year-old Morgan sports car round all 39 Brewin Dolphin offices in the UK and raised £163,679 for Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Zoe King.

Zoë lost her three-year battle with soft tissue sarcoma just days before her 18th birthday in September 2007.

The former Broxburn Academy pupil was a keen fundraiser for Teenage Cancer Trust and inspired others with her positive attitude throughout her illness.

Alan decided to get involved as Zoë’s mother, Sharon, had worked with him at Brewin Dolphin in Edinburgh for many years.

Although Biggar, a patron of the charity, was not actively fundraising in 2009, further money was received as a direct result of his campaign, in memory of the inspirational Uphall teenager.

Now the recently-retired head of Brewin Dolphin’s Edinburgh office has approached his artist friends to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust’s £1.6million East of Scotland Appeal, which will be launched this coming Monday, March 8.

Funds raised will provide for specialist units at the Western General Hospital and the New Children’s Hospital in Edinburgh.

He has received further works from John Bellany, John Lowrie Morrison (Jolomo) and Margaret Evans which will be auctioned at the Sportsman’s Dinner at Prestonfield on March 12.

Alan said: “I am very grateful to these three friends for their continued support of this very worthwhile charity.

“Zoë did a tremendous amount of work for Teenage Cancer Trust and I hope that I can continue that dedication and passion in some way.”

The paintings are expected to raise some £10,000 for the cause.

Further information can be found on www.teenagecancertrust.org with Margaret Evans’ Affordable Art appearing on the website shortly.