Paul McCartney donates album

Sir Paul McCartney has come to the aid of the families of two Barra teenagers caught up in the Manchester bomb attack.

The gesture has been described as both "amazing and brilliant" and "poignant" by the parents.

The ex-Beatle was moved by the plight of schoolgirls Laura MacIntyre and Eilidh MacLeod from Barra who were both attending their first big pop concert.

Eilidh, 14, a keen piper, was one of 22 people killed in the attack at Manchester Arena.

Fifteen-year-old Laura has bravely returned to school after weeks in hospital being treated for serious, and initially, life-threatening injuries.

The pair had travelled to see Ariana Grande on May 22.

Sir Paul has donated a special Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 6 Disc Super Deluxe (50th Anniversary Edition) boxset of what many consider the greatest ever album - which he will sign and personalise for the winner of an auction to raise funds for the two families.

News of Sir Paul's generosity has been kept under wraps to allow time to set-up the auction by leading auctioneers Bonhams, who will waive their commission fee - and will also donate the buyer's premium to the families.

Managing director of Bonhams Knightsbridge, Jon Baddeley said: “This is such a worthwhile cause, and we are delighted to be able to help.”

The event at Bonham's Knightsbridge in London on December 13 is part of the Entertainment Memorabilia sale.

Eilidh's parents, Roddy and Marion Macleod said:"We are extremely grateful for Sir Paul's kind gesture.

"Eilidh was a keen piper and 'Mull of Kintyre' is such an iconic song for the pipes - so this donation from Sir Paul is especially poignant and fitting.

“People's generosity has helped us greatly in the aftermath of our loss and we can't thank them enough. Hopefully this auction will be well supported."

Laura's father Michael MacIntyre said:"This an amazing and brilliant gesture by Paul McCartney in donating this personalised Sgt Pepper album for auction to help Laura's recovery and her future.

"We are grateful to Sir Paul and the many others who have helped financially to what has been an unbelievably difficult situation that we found oursleves thrust into.

“This kindness will help us move on in the future and to ensure Laura lives as full a life as possible after the awful events in Manchester."

A spokesman for Sir Paul simply said:"Paul was glad to help."

Paul McCartney album donation for Barra Manchester bombing victims

By Mike Merrit

1 December 2017

Eilidh Macleod died in the attack

Laura Macintyre suffered severe injuries