News / Memorial money
STAFF and customers at the Lerwick branch of the Clydesdale Bank have raised more than £1,000 towards to cost of a memorial to commemorate those who lost their lives in air accidents associated with Sumburgh airport.
The idea to create a place of reflection and memory came from Pauline Nixon, widow of Neville Nixon, the co-pilot on the Chinook helicopter that plunged into the sea a few miles east of Sumburgh in November 1985, killing 45 people.
The unveiling of the £16,000 horseshoe-shaped memorial, which will carry the names of all 79 people who lost their lives in four air accidents, is scheduled to take place on 25 May.
Organiser of the fund raising effort, Robert Leask, said the public response completely surpassed their expectations.
While Clydesdale Bank donated £150, staff got together and organised a raffle and a cake and candy stand within the bank’s premises on Commercial Street.
Raffle tickets went like ‘hot cakes’ and by Friday last week a grand total of £1,090.71 was raised.
Leask said: “We are very pleased with our efforts and the memorial committee was actually gobsmacked when they heard how much we’ve raised.”
In October last year, staff at the Clydesdale raised more than £600 towards a new lift at the Walter & Joan Gray Eventide Home, in Scalloway.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
