A PERMANENT memorial will be created in Cumnock to honour the lives of two young men who died in tragic circumstances.

Nathan McSeveney, 20, from the town fell on a stairwell at Celtic Park, during the international match between Scotland and Ireland in November, while Maybole Juniors footballer Stuart McGrady, who also played for Cumnock, died in his sleep aged just 29.

Now members of the Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise group have organised a celebration of their young lives and will be raising funds for two commemorative benches by staging an day of entertainment in Cumnock Juniors Social Club on Sunday, June 28.

The event, called Band Together, starts at 1pm and will be hosted by Jim Buller Reid, and feature Sonix, Caledonia Blue, Jigsaw, Marc James Bunten, and Local Heroes, with all proceeds going to provide fitting memorials from the community to Nathan and Stuart.

It was a happy occasion for the Scotland fans when their heroes beat Ireland in a hard-fought European Championship qualifying match on Friday, November 14, but for one extended family it is a date they will never forget for much more poignant reasons.

Manager of Lugar Boswell Thistle at the time, Carlo Walker, spoke to the Chronicle days after the tragedy, saying: “On behalf of the club I would like to send condolences to Nathan’s family and friends. His grandfather is a Lugar supporter and attends most games. It’s sad to hear something so tragic happen to someone so young.” The local football fraternity was stunned just months later when Stuart passed away on March 1. Cumnock Juniors chairman Willie McVake said: “He was a smashing fella, on and off the park, and a very good player for us during his time here. Everybody is in shock and we would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences from the committee, squad, and supporters to Stuart’s family and friends.

Although Sunday’s Band Together event is a sell-out, donations of cash and raffle prizes will be gratefully accepted at the club, while the entertainers are all giving their services free of charge for the show which promises to be a memorable one for the 120 ticket holders.

One of the organisers, Heather McEwan, said: “We hope to raise as much money as possible for the appeal, which will allow up to provide the best quality benches in memory of the two young men. We have been working closely with their extended families and will continue to do so when it is being decided where the benches will be located.”