Late Perth woman's dream raises funds for Marie Curie

Mar 16 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE dream of Kilgraston School’s former head of music Linda Marshall came to fruition a year after cancer claimed the life of the popular teacher.

And recently the financial results of that dream-come-true were handed over to cancer care charity, Marie Curie.

Before she died in 2008, Linda had begun to devise a musical based on Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits’, a long-time family favourite.

She began adapting the story as she battled against cancer, but sadly passed away before she could see the musical staged.

But those closest to her refused to let the dream die along with her. In November, 12 months after Linda’s death ‘The Monkeys’ Revenge’ played a two-night run with Linda’s daughter, Libby Marshall, playing a star role.

Bringing the musical to life was at times a heart-wrenching process and the Roald Dahl Foundation, after initially refusing permission for it to be staged, agreed that for two nights only the show could go on.

Joan Blue, a former colleague of Linda’s who collaborated on the show, insisted that it had all been worth it. Following both performances a retiring collection in Linda’s memory was held to raise money for Marie Curie.

A cheque for £2498.25 was recently presented by Libby to Jackie Johnston, a community fundraiser from Marie Curie at an assembly at the Bridge of Earn school, during which Jackie described the outstanding care which is provided by Marie Curie nurses to cancer patients across the UK.