A CELEBRATION of the life of Luke Stewart is being held on Sunday as family and friends gather for a special ‘party’ in his memory – while his family want to set up a hospice in his memory in the county.

Eight-year-old Luke, from Tranent, lost his battle against a rare brain tumour last week after a 19-month fight which saw a huge fundraising effort around the county to help fund cutting-edge treatment.

Luke, who was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), had been travelling to Mexico for treatment which appeared to be having a positive impact on his condition.

However, last month his health deteriorated after a cyst near his tumour left him unable to walk and talk, and his family was dealt a further blow when he developed pneumonia and was admitted to Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

The Windygoul Primary School pupil, who lived in the town with parents Jennifer and Mark and younger brothers Lewis, five, and Lochrin, two, passed away last Tuesday at Rachel House hospice in Kinross.

Mum Jennifer told supporters of the Help Luke campaign, which raised more than £187,000 to support his treatment and raise awareness of the condition, that Luke’s “celebration of life party will be in Royal Musselburgh Golf Club, Prestonpans, on Sunday from 1pm to 7pm where we will have fun, laughter, chats about Luke and lots for the kids”.

And she revealed that the family planned to look at setting up a hospice in East Lothian in memory of their son.

She said: “Once I get the strength I will be starting my planning for a hospice for children and young adults in East Lothian in honour of Luke.”

Luke’s funeral was held at Liberton Kirk in Edinburgh on Wednesday, where his parents married, and the youngster attended playgroup before they moved to Tranent.

Those attending were asked to wear bright colours, especially green, Hibernian fan Luke’s favourite colour.

The family asked for donations to be made – to Rachel House and a campaign for another young DIPG fighter whose parents are trying to bring her home to Australia from hospital in Mexico – in lieu of flowers.

The links to the fundraisers are: Rachel House – chas.org.uk/donate; and DIPG youngster gofundme.com/helpannabelletocomehome