WATCH: Kilt made famous by Scottish comedian Billy Connolly adds extra shine to charity ceilidh for Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation in Elgin Town Hall
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A KILT made for Scottish comedy legend Billy Connolly was birling round the dance floor in Elgin Town Hall as local charity Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation remembered a courageous teenager at its annual ceilidh.
Abbie Main, from Elgin, was just 15 when she died from Sarcoma, a rare cancer, on Christmas Day in 2017.
However, her memory and sense of fun and kindness continues to live on through the foundation set up in her name by her loving family – mum Tammy, dad Russell and brother Cameron.
It has raised tens of thousands of pounds since 2018, spreading a little sparkle to children with cancer and their families when they need it the most.
Every gift given to a child is called a sparkle and follows on from Abbie’s wish that people should raise money for “hospitals and stuff”.
Christmas was Abbie’s favourite day, she loved it.
Her family believe she fought and held on so she could go on the sparkliest day of the year.
Her sense of humour and laugh-out-loud mentality set Abbie apart and meant she lived every moment to the full.
Forres joiner Jonathan Campbell (39) even looks a bit like Connolly with his long hair and goatee beard as he danced to the music of ceilidh band Skara.
“I go to a ceilidh class on a Sunday and I like a ceilidh so I decided to come along. I asked a couple of my mates and they joined me,” he said.
WATCH: Jonathan and Abbie’s mum Tammy dance with others.
“Most of the ceilidhs I have been to this year have been to support one good cause or another.
“Billy Connolly wore it in a fashion week in New York several years ago and it went to a charity auction and my uncle (John Whyte) bought it, but kept it in his cupboard for ages because it didn’t fit him.
“It was his wedding last year and I was just going to wear a normal kilt but he said ‘I’ve got one you can borrow’ and handed this to me.
“Any time I go to a ceilidh I wear it. I like Billy Connolly.”
The kilt was made by Glenisla Kilts, based in Motherwell.
“I did get a Denim jacket to go with it but on a nice summer’s night that would have been a bit warm,” added Jonathan, “and I am looking for a unicorn belt buckle to go with it. I am here to dance every dance.”
Abbie’s mum Tammy and friend Christine Whitton, who is part of the Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation team, had some fun when they realised the famous former owner of the kilt and got Jonathan to pull a famous Big Yin pose.
