The scholarship has been created to celebrate Michael’s life, giving opportunities to young musicians wanting to get a head start in the music industry. Andrew Wright reports.

A new annual music scholarship, honouring local musician and songwriter Michael Molloy, is to be awarded to two rising stars from Rare Studio, a charitable performing arts school in Liverpool.

The award comes just four years after Michael was tragically killed in a coach crash as he travelled back from Bestival.

The Michael Molloy Scholarship has been co-funded by Rare Studio and Agent Marketing.

The Scholarship aims to empower young musicians and provide them with a platform to advance their musicial skills, working alongside industry experts around the globe.

The 2017 scholarship has been granted to 21-year-old Deana Walmsey and 18-year-old Charlie Airey.

Both students are up-and-coming singer songwriters from Liverpool, and will use the scholarship plan to visit Los Angeles to attend writing sessions and record their own tracks.

Frances Molloy, mother of Michael Molloy, said:

“As a family, we’re deeply moved how Rare Studio and Agent have come together to honour Michael; I can’t tell you how much it means to us. It’s an exceptionally thoughtful way of commemorating him, and continuing his musical legacy through the city’s brightest rising stars.

“We know that both Deana and Charlie are proudly going to take Michael’s name on their journey, and fly the flag for the next generation of talent. I wish them both the very best, and look forward to following their careers as musicians.”

As a registered charity, Rare Studio helps their students to train in performing arts regardless of their financial background or circumstances.

The new Michael Molloy Scholarship has been fully funded by Rare Studio and Agent, a marketing agency in Liverpool city centre whose managing director, Paul Corcoran, is a trustee of Rare Studio.

Lindsay Inglesby, director of Rare Studio, said: “We’re honoured to award the very first Michael Molloy scholarship to Deana and Charlie. They’re two outstanding talents that are underpinned by passion, heart and ambition – traits that we know Michael valued greatly.

“We’re happy to be able to offer these life-changing opportunities. For us, it’s not about your background, what your family earn or where you are from in the city – it’s about your talent. The scholarship is designed to enhance promising careers, and give us a chance to tailormake programmes specifically for tomorrow’s stars. Above all, we know that the pair will wholeheartedly carry on Michael’s legacy with pride.”

Paul Corcoran, managing director of Agent and trustee of Rare, said: “At Agent, we’re passionate about supporting the next generation of creative talent – Michael Molloy epitomised everything we’re proud to support. I know that this scholarship will make a huge difference year on year and I am even more delighted that it will further strengthen Michael’s legacy – legends never die after all.”