Lisa, then aged 25, disappeared in February 2005 after leaving a party in Ballyhalbert, County Down and is believed by police to have been murdered.
A Bangor native himself, Gary Lightbody wrote to her family last month saying that the Patrol wanted to support the campaign to find her body.
“It’s a lovely gesture and was made in such a genuine way that I don’t know how to thank them,” says Lisa’s younger sister, Joanne. “She loved Snow Patrol, so it means a lot to the family that they’ve made this connection.”
Meanwhile, the band’s Eyes Open album registered a 38% surge in sales last week to return it to number two on the cross-channel charts. The 35,869 units shifted mean that it’s now residing in 491,501 British and Northern Irish record collections.
The other good news is that, having been sidelined for a month with blistered vocal chords, Gary is singing like a choirboy again. As part of his rehabilitation, he’s knocked his beloved beer on the head.
“I’ve been adjusting to touring again,” the singer confirms. “My throat’s okay. The more I strengthen it the better. Being sober helps mind and throat. Not very rock ‘n’ roll but…”