THE Wee County took the chance last week to remember a Tillicoultry man who lost his battle to cancer abroad.

Alloa Town Hall welcomed around 200 guests for a memorial night in memory Liam James McLaughlin on Friday, October 5.

It was an opportunity for local friends and family to get together and remember him, who was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma multiform in 2015 and sadly passed away last March at the age of just 30 in Australia.

While the key purpose of the gig was to remember the much-loved father of two, the event was also a chance to look to the future and raised valuable money for the LJM Memorial fund, established by Liam’s widowed wife Kate.

Through the fund, she hopes to establish a hospice and wellness centre Down Under in Liam’s name, improving palliative care for others.

The concert was organised by Sauchie man Brian Reid who had become close friends with Liam through football when he still lived here.

It was a great and emotional night according to Brian, who added: “I could not have asked for it to go any better.”

His aim was to give family and friends an event where they can remember and say goodbye, Brian saying everyone seemed happy with how it went.

With money still to be counted, the memorial night raised at least £1,500 for the cause.

On stage were tribute bands U2 Baby and the Kopycat Killers while one of Liam’s favourites Liam McGrandles also displayed his talents, all earning Brian’s gratitude.

The organiser also wanted to say thanks to the Crown Inn in Alva for the bar and for paying the venue as well as Frank Roy for his free sound engineering services.

To follow the progress of Kate's efforts, visit the Liam James McLaughlin Memorial on Facebook.