Dr Evelyn Gillan passed away on Tuesday after battling cancer
Tributes are being paid to Alcohol Focus chief executive Dr Evelyn Gillan after it was announced she had died.
The campaigner, who was instrumental in achieving minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland, died on Tuesday at the Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh after battling cancer.
A statement from Alcohol Focus said staff were deeply saddened to announce her death – calling her leadership “inspirational” and saying she was “one in a million”.
The statement read: “Evelyn was an inspirational woman and public health advocate who was hugely respected both here in Scotland and by colleagues internationally.
“Her enthusiasm, leadership, energy and passion to change the world for the better were evident to all who had the privilege to know and work with her. Her sense of humour and tenacity were legendary.
She was one in a million and will be deeply missed by us all
“She was one in a million and will be deeply missed by us all.”
Voluntary organisations, campaigners and friends took to social media to pay tribute to her life.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Sad to hear of Evelyn Gillan's passing. I admired her passion for the causes she believed in & valued her advice on alcohol minimum pricing.”
See Me campaign director Judith Roberston called Gillan “a tireless advocate of social justice & a truly lovely woman. She will be missed.”
Close personal friend, the journalist and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch called Gillan “wonderful, feisty and radiant” while Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and Perthsire tweeted: “Absolutely gutted to hear of the death of my wonderful friend Evelyn Gillan. There are so very few like her.”
In November last year Gillan wrote in TFN that she had made an active choice to work in public service.
“I reckoned if I was going to have to work for a living I wanted to make it worthwhile,” she said.
“Advocating for public interest policies that benefit the majority not the few is what motivates me.”
A celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held Tuesday, 21 July at Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB.
Doors will be open from 9.30am for a 10 am start.
