A Fife community gathered at the weekend to pay tribute to a teenager who died suddenly last week.
Struan Gallacher (13), of Thornton, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday after a lifetime of ill health.
He was found in his bed on Thursday morning by his mum Margaret, two days before his 14th birthday.
Shocked villagers were keen to acknowledge his birthday and mark his passing and, with family members, walked to a landmark on Saturday with balloons, cards and flowers.
More than 70 people gathered at an area known as The Jumps where Struan regularly rode his quad bike and shared memories of him while laying their tributes.
Talk has now turned to a permanent memorial for him in the village.
Margaret told The Courier that she had been touched by the support she had received from locals, as well as Struan’s school.
She said, “Everybody knew Struan, he was a joker and would talk to anybody. He was born with hydrocephalus fluid on the brain and had to go to the Sick Kids’ Hospital in Edinburgh when he was a week old.
“He had a few major operations during his life but we didn’t expect him to die. I still can’t believe it.”
Struan, a second-year pupil at Auchmuty High in Glenrothes, lived with Margaret, his sister Mirren (12), and Margaret’s partner David.
He is also survived by sister Lynsey (23), brother Craig (20) and father Alan.
Margaret said he went to school as normal on Wednesday but complained of a sore head when he came home and was sick in the evening.
She said, “I gave him a painkiller and he went to bed. I kept checking he was okay but I woke up suddenly at 5.15am and thought it seemed awful quiet so I went to his room.
“It was like he was sleeping but I knew something wasn’t right. I couldn’t find a pulse so I phoned 999.
“The ambulance men were brilliant but they told me he had had a seizure.”
His illness caused learning difficulties and behavioural problems but Margaret said she was pleased with the way Thornton Primary and Auchmuty High treated him.Friends’ fond tributesShe said, “He had an aide at primary school, Mrs Stockley, who was great and she came to see us when she heard he had died.
“We’ve also had a visit from his learning support teacher at Auchmuty, Christine Douglas, and we’ve had a huge bunch of flowers from the school.”
She added, “Struan had a lot of problems at the school because of his health problems and he wasn’t coping so he was on a half-day timetable.
“He was in trouble quite a lot but, being a village, people have known him since he was a toddler and knew his condition and accepted him.”
A post-mortem has yet to be held so his family are not yet able to organise a funeral. But his school held a memorial service late last week and opened a book of condolence and his friends have set up pages in his memory on Bebo and Facebook.
On the Facebook page friends have left message such as “I will love you til the day I die” and “You’re the funniest person I have ever met.”
Auchmuty rector Alan Pithie said, “Struan’s sudden passing has come as a great shock to Auchmuty High School.
“A popular pupil, Struan was well known by all staff and pupils and his loss will be deeply felt.”
He added, “Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family at this time who we hope will take comfort from knowing Straun will be fondly remembered by everyone at Auchmuty High School.”
Margaret learned that Struan had spoken to his friends about what he wanted to happen should he die and so, at his funeral, youngsters will be asked to wear tracksuit bottoms tucked into their socks. His organs are to be donated, which is again in line with his wishes.
Margaret said, “Our lives won’t ever be the same without Struan.
“But we’ve had the good fortune to have had him in our lives that’s a blessing.”