Carols cash for Reamonn kids

The Church of Scotland is hosting a service in Blantyre, the home town of the 19-year-old who was murdered in the town earlier this year.

The service will include a collection for the Good Child Foundation in Thailand, which supports children with Down's Syndrome.

Before starting his course at Glasgow University, Reamonn travelled overseas to volunteer with the foundation, which has links to Celtic Football Club.

At the carol service a representative from each of the Blantyre churches will give a reading and members of the community will sing carols.

One of the readings will be from a pupil of John Ogilvie High in nearby Burnbank, the school which Reamonn attended prior to going to university.

Mark Nolan, organist at Blantyre Old Parish, said: "Irrespective of whether or not people go to church, Christmas is a time when families and friends come together.

"However, we can never forgot that Christmas is often one of the most difficult times of the year for many, when people they have lost are noticeably absent.

"We had planned this service as a community event and there was no question of what local cause we would support.

"We can only begin to imagine how the Gormley family are feeling with the events of recent weeks, but they are in everyone's thoughts, and this service provides one small opportunity for the community to express its support for the Gormley's at this incredibly difficult time."

The service is taking place in Blantyre Old Parish Church this Sunday at 7pm.

The town of Blantyre has a strong history of missionary work as the birthplace of David Livingstone.

He was christened in Blantyre Old Parish Church and that font is still in use today.

Daryn Maxwell, 23, was last week jailed for 19 years after being found guilty of Reamonn's murder following an attempted street robbery.

Barry Smith, 19, who helped plan the robbery, was jailed for eight years and three months for his part in the killing.

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk

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