Friends and family of a severely ill girl who tragically passed away this week are organising a sponsored walk in her memory.
Eccles college drama student Kirby Scoular died on Wednesday 20 July, just weeks after celebrating her birthday in Salford.
Tributes are now being paid to the popular young woman in the wake of her death.
The sponsored walk has been organised by Spotlight 13, a theatre group set up by Kirby and her friends while on a performing arts course at Eccles college.
19-year-old pal Sharon McManus said: “We all loved Kirby and classed her as family to us all.
“It’s such a shame to find out she’s sadly gone but she’s always loved by us and forever in our hearts xx”
24 people are already signed up for the walk around Salford Quays next Wednesday, with all the money raised going towards the cost of Kirby’s funeral.
If you would like to donate, you can do so at this JustGiving page
The 21-year old suffered from a rare bone disorder called Klippel Feil Syndrome and Fallot’s Tetralogy; a common symptom of the condition.
Klippel Feil Syndrome is diagnosed in just 1 in every 42,000 people.
It’s characterised by abnormal joining of two or more spinal bones in the neck.
It causes learning difficulties, severe chronic pain, and difficulty breathing, all of which Kirby had to live with daily.
“She was poorly for a long time but it happened so suddenly it was still a terrible shock,” said mum Lorraine.
“Kirby loved her three brothers Luke, Kade and Jenson very much and they in turn would do anything to protect and look after her.
“Kirby’s life was one of constant pain and suffering with constant hospital visits and surgery to her heart and other organs.
“But even in her darkest hour she was always smiling and thanking her mother for taking care of her.
“She was a beautiful little girl who had a strong passion for life, she was strong willed and was never one for letting her condition get the better of her.”
Despite living with severe spinal problems since birth, friends and family say Kirby had an incredibly light lookout on life.
Lorraine explains: “She was very sociable and very loving, she would hug everyone and ask everyone if they’re okay despite what she was going through herself.
“She was one of the strongest characters you would ever meet.”
Kirby on her 21st birthday
After going to Springwood Primary School in Swinton, it was on to Oakwood High School.
With musical ambitions and a love of the theatre, it was no surprise to her family when Kirby announced she wanted to go to Eccles college to study drama.
“She was a born drama queen,” said Lorraine.
“She also had what one could only call an obsession for Miley Cyrus.
“Her whole life revolved around her and her music.
“She would sing the whole house down day in, and day out, and even despite spinal problems, she would put herself through pain to dance along to it and show us all her moves she had practised.
“She went to see Miley Cyrus once and Miley pointed at her while singing and we never heard the end of it!”
Kirby achieved a lot despite her condition.
In fact it was sometimes precisely because other people thought she couldn’t do something that led her to push for it herself.
“She was so cheeky and funny, she left a lasting impression on everybody who ever met her,” said Lorraine.
That includes Coronation Street actor Andy Whyment, who lavished praise on the 21-year-old after a performance of ‘Twisted Tales’ as part of UCAN theater productions.
“She had a penchant for the things that were most difficult for her to do,” said Lorraine.
“She took part in plays, she danced and she sung her way through life no matter what was thrown at her.
The Kirby Scoular sponsored walk takes place from 5pm on July 27th, with all proceeds going to the cost of her funeral.
Main image: Kirby (right) with brother Jenson (left)
