THE family of a Clydebank teenager who passed away last year have begun to share an extraordinary gift to charities in her memory.

Erin MacGill passed away last April a few weeks after her 18th birthday.

A fund set up in her honour, Erin’s Gift, had collected £8,000 for causes close to the heart of the Radnor Park youth.

Now, mum Fiona and older brother Sean have launched a two-month drive to distribute the funds to various charities. Marking Erin’s first “heavenly birthday”

on Sunday, February 17, they adopted a Clown Doctor, entertainers who brought many smiles to inspirational Erin.

“Losing our girl has been life changing,” Fiona told the Post. “There are no words to describe our loss.

“She was an absolute angel on earth; now she’s gained her wings and is an angel in heaven.

“We miss her every minute of every day.

“We were very lucky to be surrounded with family and friends who shared memories of our angel.

“We are thankful for all the love and support we are receiving.”

She added: “I’m so proud of her and so proud of my son. He lost his best friend when he lost his sister. It breaks my heart every single day that he lost her.

“We’re together and we will get through it together.

“Her birthday was definitely a tough one.”

Read more: Family's tribute to 'always smiling' Erin MacGill

Fiona and Sean will be continuing to donate the full £8,000 raised for Erin’s Gift for the next two months, culminating on the anniversary of her passing away on April 21, 2018.

Though they had hoped to distribute the money and raise awareness while Erin was still with them, they will now gift individuals and groups in her memory.

Erin was born with a rare chromosome disorder and she was on dialysis for five years between the age of three and eight.

In June 2008, she received a kidney transplant, which contributed to her enjoying another decade of life.

Her mum believes her kidney would have kept going had it not been for many other health complications which led to Erin’s passing.

“She gave life all she had,” said Fiona. “We think about the donor and their family every day and we hope Erin would be up there thanking her donor herself.

“I couldn’t have ever dreamed she would reach 18. Getting to 18, when she was first born, was not supposed to be. Through amazing care of the Children’s Hospital and technology and that amazing donor, we got there.”

To mark what would have been her 19th birthday, Erin’s Gift adopted Dr Squeegie, a clown doctor Erin met many times over the years.

Her face would light up whenever she saw a clown doctor and her family felt it was a

fitting tribute for her first heavenly birthday and to kick off Erin’s Gift.

On Sunday, family remembered Erin’s love of scarves, dancing, the Gruffalo, Mr Tumble and her holidays – all things that left them with happy memories to cherish.

“We talk about her every day,” said Fiona. “There is nothing that could ever replace her, but it’s so important to me and her brother that she’s remembered.

“Erin’s Gift was something we started that we need to see through. These are people and charities that made her smile.

“They did amazing things for Erin as they do for others.

“Every single one of them made Erin mine – they made a huge benefit to her life.

“I hope through Erin’s Gift, we can share not only the battles she faced with her some of her conditions but how amazingly brave and courageous she was whilst going through them, as well as some lovely experiences she had too.

“Both myself and Sean have been completely overwhelmed with the love and support that came our way after our launch.”

Read more: Brave girl's 18th birthday is dream come true

On Facebook, Fiona and Sean thanked supporters for their amazing donations and encouraged them to consider their own gifts to the charities they’ll be profiling.

Fiona wrote: “I would appreciate if you all have a look, and in the future if you are

thinking of raising money/awareness for any charity, please consider one of ours in

Erin’s memory.

“That would mean the world to us, and them.

“We hope to raise awareness and shine light in some amazing charities and causes, who everyday do amazing and life changing work.”

She added: “We have some fantastic memories of our Erin’s Gift year. We hope you do too.”