A new memorial fund has been created in honour of a former Perth student.
Liam Colgan went missing when on his brother’s stag do in Hamburg in February 2018.
His family and friends launched a major international search for the 29-year-old, but sadly Liam’s body was recovered from the River Elbe in April 2018.
His family has now established the Liam Colgan Fund which will see two annual awards handed out to music students at the University of the Highlands and Islands, where Liam had been a graduate.
The Liam Colgan Songwriting Award and The Liam Colgan Music Production Award will provide students with the opportunity to develop and enhance their song writing and performing skills and keep Liam’s music alive.
Originally from Inverness, Liam received a HNC at the North Highland College UHI Alness campus before gaining his BA (Hons) in popular musical performance at Perth College UHI in 2010.
At university he joined the band Waterday, with friends Johnny Tait, Danny Kelly and Jordan McKay. As a four piece the group played a number of venues in Glasgow, the most prestigious being at King Tut’s.
He later formed a two-piece band, Old Old Wooden Ship, with lifelong friend Sean Fleming before continuing to perform as a solo artist.
Speaking about the award, Liam’s dad Brian said: “Liam’s family and close friends were devastated by his untimely death.
“I wanted to find a way of ensuring that something positive came out of this devastation.
“I originally planned to set up a separate charity to achieve this but once I had been in touch with the university to explain my plans, they couldn’t have been more helpful and already had a framework in place which fulfilled all of my objectives – to help students who were following the same path as Liam did, and to try to make Liam’s music available to as wide an audience as possible.”
The Liam Colgan Songwriting Award will give an aspiring songwriter the opportunity to study the art and craft of songwriting with a master songwriter of their choice.
The Liam Colgan Music Production Award will provide an opportunity to study the art and science of music production through tuition or studio time with a renowned producer of their choice.
Peter Honeyman, creative and cultural industries subject network leader at the university, said: “We remember Liam as an inspirational and highly committed performer and composer who impressed us all at Perth College UHI with his enthusiasm and energy.
“Songwriting was his passion and we are delighted this generous award will allow others to further pursue their own ambitions and dreams.
“Liam’s memory will live on in this award and the work of those who benefit from it.”
Alison Wilson, the university’s head of development, added: “We are very grateful to Liam’s family for thinking of giving back to the university in this way and it’s lovely to know that Liam will now be remembered for helping other music students.”
Donations to this fund can be made by visitingwww.uhi.ac.uk/en/development/scholarshipsandprizes/the-liam-colgan-fund/, where Liam’s music can also be listened to.
Students wanting to be considerewd have until September 2 to express their interest.
