THE 20th anniversary of the murder of a promising Celtic youngster is being marked to raise money for a good cause.
Lawrence Haggart was just 15 when he was killed in the family home in Larbert, Stirlingshire, on March 17 1996.
Brian Beattie, a known paedophile who lived locally, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998 and remains behind bars.
Lawrence’s death was devastating for his parents, Janet and Larry, along with his brothers, John and Dennis.
The youngster, a pupil at St Mungo’s High School, had already been capped by the Scotland Under-15 side and had been signed on an S-form with Celtic, the team he grew up supporting. He was widely tipped to make the grade in the sport.
Now family and friends of the tragic footballer have arranged fund-raisers and a series of community events have been taking place to honour his memory and offer help to others.
Tomorrow, between 1pm and 4pm, more than 100 players will participate in a five-a-side football tournament which will be held on the four pitches at Little Kerse, Grangemouth. Former Hoops star Darren Jackson is expected to be among the guest stars.
This follows last weekend’s 11-a-side game at Ochilview Park when relatives, friends and former team-mates of Lawrence turned out with the winners being awarded a special commemorative trophy by Celtic.
Brother Dennis said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by messages of support. People are just delighted to see Lawrence being remembered in this way.”
Proceeds from the auctions and raffles will be donated to Millie’s Journey, a campaign raising £70,000 for three-year-old Millie McColl, who has been diagnosed with with a tumour of the nervous system.
Millie, from Airth, near Falkirk, is hoping to travel to the United States for neuroblastoma treatment.
And Celtic supporters will honour Paige Doherty. the slain Clydebank schoolgirl, at the next match at Parkhead. The 15-year-old was also well known as a follower of the Hoops. The fans plan to unveil a giant “R.I.P. Paige” banner at the home game against Hearts a week today.
