Campaign to replace Port Sunlight Hillsborough memorial reaches a major milestone

Sep 9 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

A CAMPAIGN to replace a memorial to Hillsborough victims in Port Sunlight has reached a major milestone.

Port Sunlight Village Trust has raised just over £10,000 towards the £26,500 required to restore the Hillsborough Memorial Garden in the village, which was vandalised in June.

The announcement was made by Maggie Sparks, chair of Port Sunlight Village Trust, at the appeal’s first fundraising event at the Lady Lever Art Gallery on Thursday.

Guests were treated to a free evening of music and entertainment featuring The Capriccio Singers Chamber Choir, salsa dancing and a special Whistler exhibition.

Representatives from law firm Hill Dickinson presented a cheque for £532, which was raised through a dress down day.

The evening also saw the launch of the Hillsborough Memorial Appeal raffle.

Prizes include three limited edition T-shirts from Liverpool band The Coral (one signed) and a signed framed poster of their first Number 1 album cover.

Ray Southall, father of the band’s guitarist Lee, works at the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Ray said: “Lee and I were discussing how terrible the vandalism in the memorial garden was and, as a great Liverpool supporter, Lee had no hesitation in offering the T-shirts and poster as he knew it was for a good cause.”

Raffle tickets cost £1 and will be on sale at Port Sunlight Museum and other appeal fundraising events until December 2.

Other prizes include a flight for three people in a light aircraft, an autographed Liverpool FC football, and a VIP holiday at Port Sunlight Village for four.

Television personality and musician Gerry Marsden will draw the winning tickets.

It is hoped funds can be raised by Christmas to enable the restoration work to begin early in the New Year, with a rededication of the memorial taking place in spring 2010.

For more information about the memorial appeal visit www.portsunlightvillage.com or call 644 4800.