Sir Paul donates album for Barra Manchester bombing victims

Sir Paul McCartney has donated an album to raise funds for the families of a teenager who died and her friend who was injured in the Manchester bombing attack.

Eilidh MacLeod, 14, died while her friend Laura MacIntyre, 15, was seriously injured following the attack at the Ariana Grande concert on May 22.

Soon after the tragedy Sir Paul donated a special Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 6 Disc Super Deluxe (50th Anniversary Edition) box-set which will be auctioned to raise funds for the two families, from Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

He has agreed to personally dedicate and personalise the box-set of the Beatles album to the successful bidder.

The auction will take place in the run-up of the 40th anniversary of one of Sir Paul's Wings songs Mull of Kintyre reaching number 1 at Christmas in 1977.

His gesture has been described as `amazing and brilliant' by the girls' parents.

Eilidh was one of 22 people who died in the bombing at Manchester Arena.

Her parents Roddy and Marion MacLeod said: `We are extremely grateful for Sir Paul's kind gesture.

`Eilidh was a keen piper and 'Mull of Kintyre' is such an iconic song for the pipes - so this donation from Sir Paul is especially poignant and fitting.

`People's generosity has helped us greatly in the aftermath of our loss and we can't thank them enough. Hopefully this auction will be well supported.'

Their daughter was a piper with Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band.

Band members who attended her funeral mass played four tunes in her honour - the last tunes that Eilidh played on the pipes on the day before she went to the concert.

Laura has returned to the island's Castlebay Community School after spending many weeks in hospital being treated for serious injuries.

Her father Michael MacIntyre said: `This an amazing and brilliant gesture by Paul McCartney in donating this personalised Sgt Pepper album for auction to help Laura's recovery and her future.

`We are grateful to Sir Paul and the many others who have helped financially to what has been an unbelievably difficult situation that we found ourselves thrust into.

`This kindness will help us move on in the future and to ensure Laura lives as full a life as possible after the awful events in Manchester.'

A spokesman for Sir Paul - who also wrote Pipes of Peace - said: `Paul was glad to help.'

Bonhams will waive their commission fee and will also donate the buyer's premium to the families.

Jon Baddeley, Managing Director of Bonhams Knightsbridge, said: `This is such a worthwhile cause, and we are delighted to be able to help.'

The event at Bonhams Knightsbridge in London on December 13 is part of the Entertainment Memorabilia sale and will feature as the last lot on the section devoted to Beatles memorabilia.

Western Isles Councillor Donald Manford, who represents the Barra ward and is Eilidh's great uncle, said: `People's generosity of spirit continues to be awe-inspiring and sustains the families through the difficult times.

`The families of Laura and Eilidh in their turn inspire a warmth and affection that is a tribute to us all.

`We also can't thank Bonhams and Sir Paul enough for what they have done.'