Layla Gillespie, a six-year-old girl from Larkhall, Lanarkshire, has died after a battle with rare cancer that began when she was just two years old. She was diagnosed with stage three Ependymoma, a growth of cells that forms in the brain or spinal cord. Despite undergoing major radiotherapy, she relapsed and passed away on June 13.
Tartan Army Urged to Honour Layla
The Tartan Army has been urged to hold a minute's applause for Layla during Scotland's third World Cup match against Brazil tonight. SMILE Children's Charity, which paid tribute to the "brave" girl, asked fans in Miami to applaud in the sixth minute of the game in honour of "beautiful" Layla.
A SMILE spokesperson said: "Last Saturday, June 13, one of our precious SMILE children sadly passed away. Layla was just six years old, but in her short life she touched more hearts than many do in a lifetime. She was the most beautiful, courageous and special little girl. Layla lit up every room she entered with her smile, her laughter and her incredible spirit. Having battled cancer since she was just two years old, Layla faced every challenge with a strength that inspired everyone who knew her. She was deeply loved and will be forever missed."
Tribute Request Details
The charity's post continued: "As Scotland prepare to take on Brazil, we have one small request for the incredible Tartan Army. If you are attending the match, please consider wearing Scotland’s iconic red and purple kit and, in the sixth minute of the game, join together in the loudest applause possible in honour of our beautiful Layla. Six years old. Six minutes. Let’s show the world just how much impact one little girl can have. Let’s celebrate her courage, her smile and the love she brought to so many lives. Forever six. Forever loved. Forever our Layla."
Family's Previous Efforts
The Record previously reported that Layla's parents, Darren Gillespie and Ashley Hamilton, had set up a GoFundMe page to take Layla to Disneyland to meet her favourite princesses after her cancer relapsed in 2024. Ashley said at the time: "When we were in hospital on Christmas Day the nurses were asking her what Santa had brought and she informed them she was going to Disneyland... She has no idea Disneyland isn't just up the road. When we were told about the relapse that's when I realised we needed to do something to make sure she gets her wish... It just shows the amount of people she has touched. Layla loves life and sees everyday as an adventure."
Scotland vs Brazil Match
Steve Clarke's men take on Carlo Ancelotti's side in the Group C match at the Hard Rock Stadium tonight. A draw against the Samba superstars would all-but guarantee qualification through a group at a major tournament for the very first time, while even a loss might be enough if results in other groups go Scotland's way.
