A Scots schoolgirl has died after battling rare cancer since the age of two. Layla Gillespie, six, from Larkhall, Lanarkshire, had stage three Ependymoma, which is a growth of cells that forms in the brain or spinal cord.
She underwent major radiotherapy treatment but relapsed and passed away on June 13. The Tartan Army have now been urged to hold a minute’s applause for the tragic youngster during Scotland’s third World Cup match against Brazil tonight.
SMILE Children’s Charity paid tribute to the “brave” girl in a post earlier this week confirming her passing. They asked Scotland fans in Miami to hold a minute’s applause in the sixth minute of the game in honour of “beautiful” Layla.
A SMILE spokesperson said: “Last Saturday, June 13, one of our precious SMILE children sadly passed away. Layla was just six years old, but in her short life she touched more hearts than many do in a lifetime.
“She was the most beautiful, courageous and special little girl. Layla lit up every room she entered with her smile, her laughter and her incredible spirit.
“Having battled cancer since she was just two years old, Layla faced every challenge with a strength that inspired everyone who knew her. She was deeply loved and will be forever missed.”
View 3 ImagesLayla Gillespie passed away on June 13, aged six(Image: SMILE Children’s Charity)
The post went on: “As Scotland prepare to take on Brazil, we have one small request for the incredible Tartan Army.
“If you are attending the match, please consider wearing Scotland’s iconic red and purple kit and, in the sixth minute of the game, join together in the loudest applause possible in honour of our beautiful Layla.
“Six years old. Six minutes. Let’s show the world just how much impact one little girl can have. Let’s celebrate her courage, her smile and the love she brought to so many lives. Forever six. Forever loved. Forever our Layla.”
The Record previously reported how Layla’s parents, Darren Gillespie and Ashley Hamilton, had set up a GoFundMe page to get Layla to Disneyland to meet her favourite princesses after her cancer relapsed in 2024.
View 3 ImagesLayla with her family.
Paying tribute, Ashley wrote on Facebook: “Layla passed at 11.58pm the night of the first Scotland match. Purple is her colour and we planned on telling her the players purple shorts were for her but she didn’t get to see it…
“To know Layla was to love Layla. She was the kindest, purest soul, too good for this earth. This is a girl who shouts at her dad to stop being “mean” to the players when he’s watching a game because “they’re trying their best”!
“Even if the clap doesn’t happen, our girls beautiful smile has been spread to thousands more people… our hearts are forever broken… but if her smile brightened your day for even three seconds, that’s her legacy.”
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Steve Clarke’s men take on Carlo Ancelotti’s side for the Group C match against Brazil at the Hard Rock Stadium tonight. A draw against the Samba superstars would all-but guarantee qualification through a group at a major tournament for the very first time, while even a loss might be enough if results in other groups go our way.
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