DAD'S the word when it comes to cracking ceilidhs.

Teenager Freya McIwraith was so taken with a disability centre during a work experience placement she decided to do some fundraising.

Although the Selkirk High School pupil raised several hundred pounds through doing odd jobs around her native Midlem, she also convinced her dad and his band to perform at a gig for the Cornerstone centre in Galashiels.

Next month Bedlam - all ten of them - will entertain a packed MAC Arts Centre at a pre-Christmas ceilidh.

Aileen Knox, manager at Cornerstone Connects, told us: "Freya was with us for a weeks' work placement from school.

"Freya has been wonderful as she also raised money for the service by dog walking and baby sitting in her village of Midlem.

"Freya is now a volunteer with the service will help out when she can but she is still at high school. Her dad made the kind offer to do an event with his band - and we can't wait. It should be a great night."

Tickets for the Cornerstone ceilidh, priced at just £7, went on sale this week.

And every penny raised will go towards the purchase of communication technology for the people who are supported at the Melrose Road centre.

Aileen added: "The service supports individuals with complex learning difficulties and many of the people we support have a love of Scottish music.

"We have a group of service users who have learned Scottish dancing and enjoy listening to the music. Nikki's Bar has been great by allowing the group to go there every Tuesday for dancing.

"This went so well that we thought it would be great for them to attend a ceilidh - and Bedlam kindly offered to do this at no cost to us.

"The ceilidh is open to all and we are hoping for a good turnout to make the night go with a swing."

Bedlam Ceilidh Band is a group of ten musicians from in and around Midlem.

With a mixture of fiddles, guitars, bassoon, oboe, bodhrain, mandolin, flute, cello, double bass, bass guitar and accordion they make a fun, if somewhat noisy, addition to any event.

The Cornerstone ceilidh takes place at the MAC Arts Centre on Friday, December 11 from 7.30pm to 12 midnight.

Tickets are available from Cornerstone on 01896 750308 or on the door.