EILIDH Perston (19), a university student with a lust for life, died this month.
Now her heartbroken parents, Allister and Linda, have spoken of the joy their only child gave them in her short but full life.
And they have been inspired by their daughter's own giving nature to appeal for funds to enhance the lives of other youn
g cancer sufferers being treated at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital.
Mum Linda said: "She thought of everyone before herself. Even when she was very ill, she never complained and always worried about the effect it was having on us. Everyone says their child is wonderful, but Eilidh really was.
"It was always about the three of us, and she was not just a daughter, she was our friend."
Eilidh excelled at Graeme High School despite dyslexia and was passionate about her science studies at the University of Glasgow.
But as her second year there started, she began suffering headaches.
Last October, a scan revealed a large brain tumour. Surgeons removed as much of the growth as possible, but, in February, the family, from Wallace Place, were crushed when tests showed the tumour had grown and spread into Eilidh's spine.
The brave teenager endured six weeks of gruelling radiotherapy but lost her battle on June 13.
Linda (50) said: "We never stopped hoping that it would be okay, but we were always open and honest with Eilidh about everything. It was very hard for her, but she could always have a laugh or a joke."
Allister (51) said: "She was very astute, and we were a very close family. She was fun-loving and used the skills she had to help others."
A first-aider and avid reader, Eilidh was fascinated with history and the natural world, and was a successful Scottish country dancer.
Her volunteering for the Red Cross earned her an invitation to Buckingham Palace for the charity's centenary celebrations, and her active university life took her on a turtle research project in Cyprus.
Linda said: "She never had enough time for all the things she wanted to do."
The Perstons now want to raise money to support the Teenager Cancer Trust's plans to develop a £2 million unit at the Western for 16 to 24-year-olds. At the moment, teenagers are treated alongside toddlers or the elderly.
Linda said: "The staff were excellent and we are very grateful, but there's nothing for the young people with cancer who need specialised care. They need their own ward and someone they can talk to about the condition and the fears they have."
Anyone who would like to make a donation to the appeal can visit www.justgiving.com
/tctwesterngeneralhospital or send a cheque marked for the Western appeal to the Teenage Cancer Trust, PO Box 28802, Edinburgh, EH14 1AA.
A retiral plate at Eilidh's funeral at Zetland Parish Church last
Tuesday received over £1160
