Memories of Cookie shine through song

A musician has composed and released a charity single in memory of a late Aberdour friend 'who always made everyone laugh'.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th May 2016, 15:45 BST
Patrick Wallace (23), originally from Aberdour, has penned and performed a new song in tribute to his late friend 'Cookie'Patrick Wallace (23), originally from Aberdour, has penned and performed a new song in tribute to his late friend 'Cookie'
Patrick Wallace (23), originally from Aberdour, has penned and performed a new song in tribute to his late friend 'Cookie'

Patrick Wallace (23) wrote and performed ‘Cookie’ in honour of Christopher “Cookie” Coutts, who passed away at the age of 19 in June 2013, after a brave two-year battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The proceeds from the single - now available for download on iTunes - will help West Fife’s Cookie Jar Foundation raise over £48k for a recreational courtyard at Edinburgh’s new Sick Kids Hospital due to open next year.

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Patrick, who is now forging a career in acting in Portsmouth, said, “Cookie was always making people laugh with his cheeky and silly sense of humour but he was also so kind.

Patrick in the recording studioPatrick in the recording studio
Patrick in the recording studio

“I have so many fond memories of him, his brother Steven and I playing football and hanging out. One that always sticks in my mind is when we were bouncing on his trampoline which had a net around it.

“At that time Cookie had a brace and somehow he managed to get it stuck in the net – and we just kept bouncing! It’s fun memories like that, which inspired the lyrics but also about how much he is missed by everyone that knew him.

“I felt so privileged to be asked to write this song.”

The Cookie Jar Foundation has already raised over £140k for a number of projects including placing vein finders in Scottish hospitals.

Christopher 'Cookie' Coutts, who passed away at the age of 19 in June 2013, after a brave two-year battle with Hodgkins lymphoma.Christopher 'Cookie' Coutts, who passed away at the age of 19 in June 2013, after a brave two-year battle with Hodgkins lymphoma.
Christopher 'Cookie' Coutts, who passed away at the age of 19 in June 2013, after a brave two-year battle with Hodgkins lymphoma.
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As an ever-lasting legacy to Christopher, The Spiritual Care Courtyard & Sanctuary will be a unique part of the new £150 million hospital, providing a space for bereavement services and a quiet space for families at a difficult time in their lives.

Debbie Coutts, Christopher’s mum and charity founder, said, “When Christopher was in hospital we could only either sit in the corridor, next to his bed or in the staff overnight room.

“There was a real lack of space for families to relax.”

Debbie was delighted when Patrick agreed to help.

Patrick in the recording studioPatrick in the recording studio
Patrick in the recording studio

“The first time hearing the completed song was very emotional for me, the words and the music are truly beautiful,” she said. “We know that Cookie meant a lot to his friends but hearing the song really shows just how much.”

Pippa Johnston, director of fundraising at The Sick Kids Friends Foundation said the courtyard would help the hospital stay true to its aims to ensure children were a “child first and patient second.”

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“We wish everyone involved in the launch and sale of this new single, the very best of luck in their fundraising efforts.”

Download ‘Cookie’ on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/cookie-single/id1114102391.

Download the video online at https://thecookiejarfoundation.co.uk/product/cookie/

Related topics:Memories