Vince Gilgallon

Vince Gilgallon
died 05-04-07 aged 15 years by a tragic accident.
Brother to Alice,Katie and Kean,step-brother to Lauren and Ryan.

An angel walked among us.Vince you were that angel.

Always in our hearts,my love is forever with you.

Mum xxx

VINCE GILGALLON MEMORIAL AFTERNOON 23/06/07
On the afternoon of 23rd June 2007 at Paible school a memorial afternoon was held in Vince's honour
at Paible school.
Over £4000.00 was raised at this event with all proceeds going to Vince's schools,Paible and
Lionacleit.
The afternoon consisted of a football tournament,which is to become an annual event.
There was live music from the Lionacleit piping band and from a rock band also from Lionacleit
school.Part of their tribute was a song that they wrote and performed for Vince called 'Peace of
Mind'.
With three bouncy castles,bungee run,fire brigade/engine tours,pony rides,wet the teacher,face
painting and other stalls,the afternoon proved very popular with all age groups.
The afternoon was rounded off with a prize raffle and an auction of mainly signed football
memorabilia,which had kindly been donated from both clubs and personal friends.
One item up for auction was a signed pennant from Arsenal Football club.This was finally purchased
by a group of Vince's friends for £130.00 with the intentions of having it encased and placed on
Vince's grave as their tribute to him.
A balloon race was also held with almost 500 balloons released many with personal messages for Vince
attached.
A fitting tribute to a wonderful person.

TRIBUTES
It has been totally unbelievable all the wonderful tributes that have come in for Vince and a
majority of them have been from his many friends.
From the girls who had a wreath made with every flower having a personal meaning: Thistles for his
love of Scotland
Red roses for how much they loved him
Pink carnations were their kisses to him
A few darker flowers for school detentions
Yellow and plentiful for his sunny outlook and smiles.

THE POEM from an unknown friend :
This Is For The Boy

This is for the boy that we called Vince
This is for the boy who was our prince
This is for the boy who everyone adored
This is for the boy who is with us no more

This is for the one always ready with a smile
Even for the people he'd only known a little while
This is for the one who loved his family and friends
Its hard to believe he's gone
Some day we'll meet again

This is for the boy who brought laughter to the class
Those teachers are going to miss you boy
It'll be quiet going back

This is for the boy who was a true sports man
The number one Arsenal fan

This is for the one now an angel up high
A shining star in the dark night sky

This is for Vince a legend of a guy
A life taken so young
Its hard to say goodbye


To Seonaidh Macintyre who bravely piped at Vince's graveside in front of approx 600 mourners.
To the lads who laid a signed Arsenal shirt on his grave.
To Kirsty and friends who put a book together about Vince.
Thomas Cameron and friends for the video of Vince on Bebo.
The 106 band members to Vince's memorial on Bebo and also those who joined his Caravan of Love.
Edward Brett who buried his grandfather on the Friday in London and got to the Outer Hebrides just
hours after Vince's funeral,laid flowers on his grave the Sunday morning and was on his way home
straight after.That is what you call a true friend.
The 15 trees planted in a V just for Vince.
The two memorial benches donated to his schools by local businesses.
The hundreds who have left comments on Bebo and shown me what a special lad he was.
North Uist Football club for their memorial match and the trophy 'Vince Gilgallon Player of The
Year' cup.

The list goes on and on and these people especially the youth have given me so much strength.
Bless you all.

VINCE:
Born on Saturday 26th October 1991 at 6.54am weighing in at 7lb 13oz,Vince was first a hit with the
midwives at Whipps Cross hospital who were as besotted with him as his mother was.
Vince went on to grow up in his first 12 years in London where he first took his love of sport
through Karate.
Then it was off to Scotland where Vince went on to win medals in cross country running for North
Uist Athletic club.This was soon replaced with his love for football and Vince already playing for
North Uist under 16's was just signed for the adult team when he died.
Also a keen badminton and basketball player Vince was making his mark in the football.
Vince had also been a published writer in The Heb magazine that sells worldwide and dreamt of
pursuing a career in journalism.
Vince had a girlfriend Jade Mannix and had many friends as can be witnessed on Bebo. It seems that
Vince left a lasting impression on people both young and old and helped many out too in many
different ways.One lad wrote 'thanks for beleiving in me and helping me beleive in myself'.
That to me speaks volumes and that one sentance shows what a special person we have lost.
Always happy and always with a smile Vince gave so much to us all and again it speaks volumes when
approx 600 mourners turned up at his funeral with two other services going on simutaneously in
London.
Another tribute left that showed the impression he left was from a boy who only met him once in a
football match but Vince stood out because afterwards with a beaming smile he took the time to shake
hands with that boy and the rest of the team.That happened a year ago and that boy never forgot
Vince.He stood out.
Vince was found dead by his mother and stepfather at home on the evening of 5th April 2007.
After extensive investigation conclusions of the family and authorities is that whilst on the phone
Vince was playing with the bathroom light cord (which had been extended for his toddler sister's
use) and had in the duration of two phone calls lasting 45 mintues forgot or,and got comfortable
with the cord round his neck.
When the phone calls ended he went to run downstairs and the cord tightened blacking him out and the
cord pulled him back and hung him.
Death has been put down as neck compression and suspension.
A very tragic accident and great loss to us all.