Herald campaign created hope in darkest of times
As the number of deaths from Covid-19 increased across Scotland, leaving many people grieving after being unable to say a proper farewell to their loved ones, The Herald launched its Memorial Garden Campaign to give families a place where they could remem
IT has been a devastating year that, at times, has seen families left to grieve the loss of a loved one without the close support of people around them.
With restrictions in place for most of 2020, even saying goodbye following the loss of a father, brother, mother, sister, son or daughter has made the pain all the harder to bear.
As we saw the damage and havoc coronavirus was wreaking on our daily lives and the death toll continued to rise, The Herald looked at how we could help.
From a simple idea of creating a place where people could go to remember loved ones or reflect, The Herald Memorial Garden Campaign was born. Seven months on from the campaign’s launch, many more lives have been lost to this dreadful virus and the people of Scotland are now being plunged into tougher restrictions to help battle the threat from the spread of a new strain of the virus.
In a year when we have witnessed unstinting acts of bravery and kindness, we have also been given a boost as we close this year with the offer of a £10,000 pledge towards our £50,000 fundraising target.
An approach was made by the Freemasons of Glasgow, who described our campaign as “a thoughtful initiative” and said they were keen to become involved. We can today reveal the £10,000 donation towards our campaign has taken our total raised to more than £41,000.
Donald Martin, Editor-in-chief of
The Herald and Herald on Sunday, said: “We are absolutely delighted by this generous donation from the Freemasons of Glasgow and for their kind words with regard to our campaign. This fantastic amount means we have raised more than £40,000 towards creating a fitting memorial to those who have lost their lives to coronavirus and for the nation.”
Andrew Mushet, the Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow, said: “It is truly heartwarming to observe the manner in which the project has met with the approbation of various civic departments and with the generous citizens of Glasgow.
“In due course an inclusive place of contemplation and reflection for individuals and families will be raised in the natural setting of Pollok Park, a serene focal point of remembrance.
“As the 36th Provincial Grand Master I am delighted on behalf of the Freemasons of Glasgow to pledge £10,000 to The Herald Memorial Garden Campaign.”
Freemasonry has strong links in
Glasgow and the Provincial Grand lodge of Glasgow can trace its origins to 1739, when Alexander Drummond, Master of Greenock Kilwinning No XII, was appointed the first Provincial Grand Master. The Province of Glasgow is the largest in the Scottish Constitution with 77 Lodges.
Just days after our campaign launched, the leaders of Glasgow City Council, Lord Provost Phil Braat and council leader Councillor Susan Aitken, offered us a site in the stunning grounds of Pollok
It is truly heartwarming to observe the manner in which the project has met with the approbation of various civic departments and with the generous citizens of Glasgow
Country Park. Since then we have set up a steering group for the project and seen the public generously support the campaign.
Our high-profile supporters include actor and Trainspotting start Robert Carlyle and Scots DJ Edith Bowman.
Some of our fundraising highlights this year include: l A £5,000 donation from the Harry Clarke Group of Companies, Hillington. l A £10,000 donation from the John Watson Foundation. l A £4,290 donation from Lauren Mcadam’s Three Peaks Challenge in memory of her father Bryce, who died from the virus. l A £3,200 donation from The Herald Memorial Garden Kiltwalk heroes team and topped up by the Hunter Foundation. l Herald readers pledged several thousand pounds through our Gofundme site and by cheque. l Scottish jeweller Caitlin Hegney donated £400 from the proceeds of her rainbow-inspired collection. l And Annette Allen donated £500 from proceeds of Yellow Heart pin badges.
As the months progressed, the public support for the campaign grew. We held
a successful workshop in October with a number of groups, including Friends of Pollok Park, the National Trust for Scotland and Creative Scotland.
The feedback was extremely positive and the view held was that we are doing the right thing at the right time in Scotland.
We have been overwhelmed by your support and generous donations that we believe we will be able to create a fitting memorial to those who have lost their lives to coronavirus.
l To donate go to: gofundme.com/ herald-garden-of-remembrance.
You can also send donations via post to: The Herald Garden of Remembrance Campaign, Herald & Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow, G32 8FG. l If you can help, email memorialgarden@ theherald.co.uk l Keep up to date with the latest news at www.heraldscotland.com/campaigns/ memorial-garden/