TRIBUTES FLOOD IN FOR BRAVE CROOKSTON SCHOOLBOY SPARKY

TRIBUTES have flooded in for the late Celtic mad thirteen year old who won the heart of NDubz Dappy and countless other celebrities.

Brave Crookston lad Mark Sparky Gallagher passed away from brain tumour Craniopharyngioma on Saturday.
The terminally ill schoolboy was diagnosed with the condition six and a half years ago and his mum Michelle, 31, and seven year old brother Che were told at the start of the year by doctors there was nothing more they could do following thirty eight operations.
Friends and family, with help from the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation, Glasgows Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Robin House did their utmost to make his short life as memorable as they could.
During his illness Sparky was sent messages of support from everyone including Shameless star Jody Latham, View guitarist Kieren Webster and Geordie Shore's Jay Gardner.
He featured in the Dreammaker Christmas song, sang with Susan Boyle, met most of the Celtic team including Scott Brown and Callum McGregor and was thrilled to have close contact with NDubz rapper Dappy. Family friend Lindsay Coyle said at the time: "Sparky is Dappy’s number one fan and even loves him more than his beloved Celtic."
The two met initially in 2012 at a London recording studio organised by children’s charity Rays of Sunshine.
In January, Sparky's birthday month, they were reunited when Dappy met up with him after two Scots gigs.
Amongst those who have paid tribute to Sparky's passing were Celtic legend Bertie Auld who visited Sparky just last week in Robin House.
He sent a private message to Sparky's mum within hours of hearing the news.
BAFTA award winning actress Kathleen McDermott also said: "My heart is breaking - fly high little man. Love you and will miss u sooo much!!"
Les Hoey and Angela Jamieson Cook from the Dreammaker Foundation said: "He was a remarkably strong wee boy who always gave people a high five no matter how ill he was. He was such a cheeky chap and was even twerking to music on Friday in Robin House."
Posted with Love in Scotland from theshowbizlion.com
Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Evening Times and Daily Record

DONNA MILLER'S BROTHER BRAVES ARCTIC FOR LATE SISTER'S FUNDRAISER

THE brother of tragic brain tumour mum Donna Miller has returned from a gruelling Arctic Trek to raise funds for charity.
Beautiful Donna, wife of former Scotland international footballer Lee Miller, and mother to two of his children, died in April 2012 after battling a brain tumour for more than four years.
Her brother Sean Gilhoolie, 24, is just home after embarking on a three day trek into minus forty temperatures in the arctic circle to help Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
Sean headed to Rovaniemi in Finland for the Trek.
Having already helped to raise £100,000 in the four and a half years since she passed away, he said: "The Arctic Trek idea was put forward to me by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity and what an experience I have had over the past week. Mentally and physically it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I never want to see a hill, snow or a tents again. I have met some great people and there were high and low moments but I couldn't have felt prouder standing on the finish line with the Donna Miller foundation across my chest. I just want to thank everyone for their support.


Sean added: "I was pushing myself and although my family were not too keen and my mum was worried sick I'm wasn't doing it half heartedly. I'm not a massive fitness person and my biggest worry was how I'd deal with a lack of sleep and walking all those hours every day.
Donna wouldn't have wanted me to go as she was so protective but her kids were behind me and it was a great experience - and I didn't come back with just five toes."
Sean only realised how serious his trek was after picking up some of the equipment he needs for it. He said: "We were training on The West Highland Way and I had to buy a nine hundred pound sleeping bag for nighttime and a special jacket to walk in. Luckily my friends had given me a whole load of vouchers for my birthday so I got my equipment with that."
Sean took a picture of Donna with him as well as a lucky charm from his mum.
He said: "Donna's oldest child Lennon was so excited for me and made a personal donation. I don't think her youngest Bobby understood at first but I was showing him photos and he understood how cold it was going to be."
"The kids even sent me a video message congratulating me on the trek."

- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

CAITLYN VAN BECK SINGS FOR SCOTTISH DREAMMAKER CHARITY

X Factor singer Caitlyn Van Beck might have been knocked out of the telly show on Saturday but she didn't stay at home weeping over the decision - and managed to wow as a surprise guest at a charity bash for sick kids.







Guests couldn't believe their luck when 18 year old Tranent gal Caitlyn turned up at the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation bash in Glasgow's Crowne Plaza.







And at exactly the same time as X Factor fans watched the judges houses stage of the show where Simon made his shock move she performed a moving rendition of Piece By Piece by Kelly Clarkston on stage at the party.







Revellers included GLOW reality stars Brian Matthews and James English, Still Game's Jane McGarry and Mark Cox who play Isa and Tam and radio host Suzie McGuire.

Caitlyn said: "It's great to be here to support the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation and to see all the smiles on the children's faces."

Meantime fans of the Scots singer have kicked off after house after her pianist appeared to hit a bum note during her Judges House audition.
Caitlyn sang Praying For Time by George Michael during the audition in Malibu in front of Simon Cowell and his friends.
Caitlyn appeared to forget her words as she sang the famous song and Simon encouraged her to keep singing.
Now however, followers online have pointed out that the pianist seemed to hit a wrong note which put the Scots talent off.



At fifty five seconds into the audition just as she is about to sing the word wounded which she begins to pronounce, she stops dead and gives a puzzled look.
Simon urges her to continue after the two exchange a look and Caitlyn then performs the rest of the song beautifully.
Fans are now furious that Caitlyn, who was put head to head with fellow Scot Emily Middlemas at judges houses, was put out of the competition by a regretful Simon.
And some are raising questions about her musical accompaniment online.
Paul Lang commented: "The guy playing piano went wrong there, didn't he? She was thrown.#xfactor"
Another Sasha Lang added: "Anyone else notice the Pianist messed up just as Caitlyn was smashing her song at judges, struggle to believe that wasn't set up..furious."
Another wrote on a forum: "I just watched again on YouTube and it almost seemed like the keyboard player played the wrong notes to the line 'when there is no hope to speak of'. Very strange"



Excerpts of this article from The showbizlion.com appeared in The Sun online.



- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.comSun online

PELE TALKS MARRIAGE AND MEETS SCOTS SICK KIDS

Exclusive
Beverley Lyons
SOCCER superstar Pele has spoken for the first time about his new marriage - admitting it was about time he made the commitment.
The greatest player of all time was appearing at a swish dinner and Q and A in Glasgow's Crown Plaza hotel when one of the guests congratulated him on his recent nuptials.
Pele who married his third wife 50 year old Marcia Cibele Aoki in July replied: "I felt I needed to fix something. After five years it was time to be done."
He added: "We are very happy."
The two lovebirds got together in 2010 following a chance meeting in a lift in São Paulo when Marcia invited Pele to see a home renovation she’d done.
The two had planned to marry a couple of years ago but the ceremony had to be postponed after he suffered health problems.
Pele truly made his mark on his Scots fans during his flying visit.
He also made dreams come true for sick kids from the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation after inviting them to meet him.


Pele was introduced to kids including eight year old leukaemia sufferer Kai Green from Balarnock, Paisley's Mitchell Connell, 13, and
Michael Glen from Paisley.
Kai who was with his brother Sean said: "It was brilliant meeting Pele. He asked me what position I play and I told I'm I was a striker."


Mitchell who hasn't been able to play as much football since being diagnosed a year ago said: "It was amazing. He's such a legend and we talked about football and how he scored goals."


And Michael smiled: "Pele told me to kill the goalie."
His mum added: "Michael has just finished his treatment after three years and this is a brilliant way to finish it. Pele was lovely and Les did a great job of getting us all to meet him."

Extracts of this article appeared in The Sunday Post





- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

DAVID COULTHARD MAKES PRECIOUS PIT STOP FOR SICK KIDS

David Coulthard took time out of the fast lane to meet some of Scotland's bravest sick kids and give them a shot of his F1 car.


The racing champ, who has been appearing at the Ignition Festival at Glasgow's SSE Hydro complex took the special pit stop to meet kids from the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation today.
Amongst the kids who got a chance to speak with the star were little Arran Paterson, 8, who desperately needs a liver transplant.


Arran's dad Derek from Baillieston said: "Arran has had twenty five procedures and it really brightened him up to meet David today. It gives him a wee boost. He has an underlying heart condition and needs a liver transplant and we got the call last week but the match was not suitable for his age and size."


Ben Baikie, 6 from Lenzie has leukaemia and loves racing cars.
Dad John said: "He loves Ferraris big and was so excited to be up so close. Ben had his Ferrari outfit on and David gave him a wee hug too. It takes his mind off things and gives him good memories and happy times."


Grangemouth lad David Carr, 7, who was with his mum Laura also loved the cars.
Laura said: "Carr by name, Car by nature. David likes any type of car from American muscle to Formula One. He can tell you a car just by looking at its front lights."
David was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August 2014 and often gets tired. He was thrilled when David Coulthard asked him about his condition and what his tube was for. He went very quiet because he was in awe."
Charity man Les Hoey said: "We were thrilled David gave us his precious time today. It really helps the kids to have such a great day out."


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