Dad delight for Obanvision winner Lachie

Obanvision winner Lachie D'Arcy had double reason to celebrate on Friday.

 

The all-singing and dancing nine-year-old whose cover of Uptown Funk won the most hearts and votes during the town's Facebook alternative to COVID-cancelled Eurovision, also got his dad back after 11 weeks working away in India.

 

Commercial diver  Sean managed to fly back from Mumbai via COVID screenings, London and an 'empty' Glasgow Airport just in time to watch Lachie's performance from a safe social distance at a neighbour's house where he is self-isolating for two weeks.

 

Lachie was the second act in Friday's line-up helping raise funds to keep The Rockfield Centre ticking over during the coronavirus outbreak.

 

The fun-packed night that got backing from generous prize-giving businesses had 12 entries in all - including a self-penned ditty from Argyll and Bute councillor for Oban, Kieron Green.

 

Lachie had to wait until 11pm, way after his bedtime, when all the acts were over and the votes counted to reveal that he was the winner but it was the next morning before his dad found out.

 

Sean, who had been working on oil pipelines for the Indian Government, fought off jet-lag to stay up and watch all the acts but fell asleep just before the final votes were in.

 

Lachie is now counting the days until he can spend his winning Piazza vouchers on a celebration meal with all the family reunited - and in time for his mum Emma's and brother Sorley's birthdays.

 

'I didn't really know until a few days before Obanvision that dad might be home in time to watch me. I was a bit worried he might miss it but he didn't! We set up the computers so we could watch it on Facetime together,' said Lachie who has two other brothers Caley, 7, and Murdo who is three - not forgetting his 'fourth brother,' new pup Norie named after the George Street chip shop.

 

With his taste of fame, the Park Primary pupil is wasting no time in working on a new song sensation all about coronavirus. In 2018 the D'Arcy brothers made the Oban Times headlines when they busked in their street for money to buy bags of shopping for Hope Kitchen.

 

Mum Emma and Dad Sean are incredibly proud. Sean said: 'Getting home for Lachie's Obanvision performance was perfect timing. I'm looking forward to lots of hugs when this self-isolating finishes.'

 

As for Obanvision's future, it is very clear says organiser Fee Shaw. 'The public have spoken so yes we will be doing it again next year. I'd love to say a huge thank you to our community who really got behind this. From the 12 incredible entries, all the businesses who donated prizes  to those who came online to support everyone and helped raise over £400 to support the continuing efforts of The Rockfield Centre as an organisation which supports, connects, and entertains our community. Thank you everyone.'