A FUNDRAISING gig in Alloa will next week give Wee County people a chance to say goodbye to a Tillicoultry man who lost his battle to cancer in Australia.

The concert at Alloa Town Hall next Friday, October 5, is being organised in memory of Liam James McLaughlin, who died last March.

Sauchie man and friend Brian Reid is bringing three bands to the town hall for a memorable evening, which will raise cash for the LJM Memorial, widowed wife Kate’s drive to establish a hospice and wellness centre in his memory Down Under.

Liam, who tragically passed away at the age of just 30, used to play football locally in Brian’s team, the two becoming close over a seven-eight year period.

The Clacks man emigrated to Australia with wife Kate and was father to daughters Molly and Una.

Everything changed for the family when he was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma multiform in 2015.

Wee County residents had rallied around back then, organising fundraisers to give him the best chance against the disease.

Brian, 44, said Liam’s passing was a “massive loss” to all who knew him.

He added: “It was like everybody did not get the chance to say their farewells due to him being in Australia.

“He was one of the nicest guys you’d ever meet, even in his darkest hour, when he was fighting his battles.

"My wife was ill with cancer as well and when he arrived back, that was the first place he went, the hospital to see her.”

As the Advertiser reported around a year ago, wife Kate embarked on a quest to create a purpose-built facility to give people home when it is desperately needed.

She hopes to build a hospice in Perth, Australia, where they moved in 2012, as the palliative care oversees was not what the family had been familiar with in Scotland.

The gig next Friday will start at 6pm and will feature tribute bands U2 Baby and the Kopycat Killers.

Also on stage will be Liam McGrandles, one of Liam’s favourites from the wider area.

Tickets are £20 and are available from Brian by calling 07929 947 922.

They can also be purchased at the charity shop Liam’s Gifts in Tillicoultry, run by Liam’s mother, or The Crown Inn in Alva.