A Friend indeed . . . 

A FRIEND in need is a friend indeed, especially if your name is Alan Friend and you want to support The Sunday Post’s Hospice Appeal.
Alan is one of Scotland’s most talented artists. He is one of a very small number of British artists who have won a competition in the USA. And a few years ago he was invited to join the cream of Scotland’s artistic community who designed the cover for Wet Wet Wet’s album Picture This.
Those accolades pushed Alan to the verge of major international recognition. But for personal reasons, just as he was about to become hugely successful, he took the decision to give up painting.
However, he has now decided to make a comeback — and it’s all thanks to our campaign.
He said, “When I read about all the good work you’re doing for CHAS, and these children with life-limiting conditions, I realised I had to help.”
Alan has arranged an exhibition at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall to coincide with the Spirit of Youth show. 
The paintings, which include a number of striking portraits, are for sale, with half of all proceeds going to our appeal.
He added, “My interest in art has been rekindled by this appeal and after the exhibition, which lasts for another week, I aim to start working in earnest again.”
The show, which takes place tonight (Sunday November, 25) at 7.30, is an 1800-seat sell-out. It features eight of Scotland’s top young music and dance acts and an hour-long recording will be broadcast by BBC Scotland. It is produced by Friends of AS and the Variety Club of Scotland, in association with The Sunday Post.

£600 THE JUNIOR choir of Lylesland Parish church in Paisley sang their hearts out to a packed audience and raised £600, writes Euan Duguid.
The 26 boys and girls aged between 8 and 14 left the audience in awe after the powerful two-hour performance under the able direction of organist Maria Wilson (22). 
From the passion of Les Miserables to the romance of traditional Scottish songs, the show had something for everyone. 
But, as one of the audience, Eric Niven (68), emphasised, the night was all about children. 
He said, “The choir is a marvellous thing for children to be part of and they all take their singing seriously. The singing was magnificent and had many a foot tapping and hands clapping.” 
The choir has brought the community together for years as it is open to any child, whether or not they are involved with the church. Maria is a great inspiration.”
Eric stressed, “We have great pride in the way the children were so passionate and displayed boundless effort to raise the cash. 
“The Sunday Post is running a magnificent appeal and we are absolutely delighted to be part of it.”

£1000 MORE AND more of Scotland’s schools are backing our appeal. Glenrothes High School raised over £1000 for the hospice with a highly successful fashion show organised by four sixth-year girls.
It was the third annual fashion show at the school and, such was the anticipation and demand for tickets, that extra seats had to be squeezed into the hall to accommodate everyone.
A total of 60 pupils participated in the event.
Some worked tirelessly backstage to ensure everything ran smoothly and some were models for the night — strutting their stuff on the catwalk displaying clothes from High Street stores like Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Sports Connection, Burtons, New Look and What Everyone Wants.
Organisers Sarah McKay, Denise Gibbins, Colleen Sweeney and Lorraine Green were commended for such a professional show.

£348 ABERDEEN GRAMMAR pupils have also been very generous. The children donated £348.96 straight from their own pockets, through a monthly charity collection as well as money made from the tuck-shop.

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com