Over £4,000 raised from sales of tribute Christmas single in memory of Brooke Reid
- Love Ballymena
- Dec 14, 2020
- 2 min read
Ballykeel Together Development Association would like to say ‘thank you’ after being presented with a cheque for £4015.64, which will be used for Bright Stars Special Needs Youth Club.
The money was raised from the sales of a tribute Christmas single in memory of young Brooke Reid (12) who tragically lost her life in a house fire back in September in Ballymena.
Brian and Clare Alexander received the cheque on behalf of the community association.
Clare commented: “We as a community group would just like to say a big thank you to Andrew McMurdie and also to Geoff Reid who bought CD’s and resold them, donating all the proceeds to our Bright Stars Special Needs Youth Club. Thank you to everyone who bought CD’s, donated or supported in any way.”
The group of talented local performers recently came together and recorded a cover of the Christmas classic ‘When a Child is Born’ - Andrew McMurdie, Steve Farlow, Alastair Coyle and Jessica Clail.
Andrew McMurdie (20) had first met Brooke earlier this year during lockdown on her 12th birthday, after he was invited by her grandfather, Billy McMaster, to perform a show in the Ballykeel estate during the first lockdown.
Andrew said, “I made friends forever in Ballykeel. I was heartbroken when I heard of the untimely death of wee Brooke, only 12 years old, and felt honoured when the family invited me to sing at Brooke’s funeral service.”
It impacted his life so much he decided to record a Christmas song in her memory. The CD single is on sale now with proceeds raised going to the Ballykeel Together Development Association Bright Stars Youth Club - a club enjoyed by many local children with special needs.
“In memory of one special little girl, with Martha McMaster, all of the McMaster family, and Geoff Reid and all of the Reid family. Fly high Brooke.”
Reflecting Andrew concluded: “Brooke has forever left a footprint on my heart.”
