As most of you will now be aware, Callum Gray lost his brave battle against leukaemia on the 29^th December 2014. Callum was a member of St Laurence CLCGB since the age of four; a member that embraced everything that Brigade could offer, sporting competitions, band including National Band and North East camp.

Over the years I have written about the Brigade family and it was at Callum’s funeral that this was never more apparent. The family had asked if a group of ‘bandies’ could play the tunes Little Bugler and Highland Cathedral, both pieces of music with special significance.

The two evenings before the funeral a group of members and ex-members, from three different companies met to practice.

On the day Brigade members and officers arrived from around the country, from Durham, Beverley, the midlands and Manchester. Six Brigade standards were out as a guard of honour, carried by members and then during the service the band played brilliantly.

The Brigade family came together to celebrate the life of one of their own.

Our mantra is Fun, Faith and fellowship; Fun it certainly was not, but it was faith and fellowship at the worst of times.

Isn’t that what families do?

RIP Callum James Gray 10 may 1996 – 29 December 2014

During Callum’s treatment at The Chrisite, the Sara’s Hope Foundation provided Callum with a beautiful week at Sara’s Retreat in Crete. The Foundation was set up in memory of Sara Hoburn to provide respite breaks for children and their families dealing with cancer. The charity is trying to raise £4000,000 to purchase the currently rented retreat. Each person who raises £1000 will have their name inscribed in a brick on an arched wall at the retreat.

If any one would like to make a donation these will be split between The Christie Hospital and Sara’s Hope Foundation, these can be donated via the funeral directors Messrs’ B. livesey’s Chorley or via National Headquarters.

This article was kindly shared from St Laurence's Chorley Parish Magazine Feb 2015.