14/11/2003

Edinburgh launch for £1m Queen Mother's fund

The Queen Mother's Memorial Fund for Scotland, which aims to raise £1 million for the construction of a national memorial sites in Edinburgh and a second in Glamis, has been launched in Edinburgh today.

First Minister Jack McConnell was joined at the launch in the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden by the Queen Mother's cousin, David Bowes-Lyon, Chairman of the Queen Mother's Memorial Fund for Scotland.

Proceeds will go towards the creation of public memorials in Scotland, with the national memorial in Edinburgh due to be unveiled in 2005.

Mr McConnell said: "Scots everywhere retain a special place in their hearts for the Queen Mother. She served with unswerving dedication to duty and she was passionate about Scotland. It is fitting that we mark her memory with an official Scottish tribute."

Members of the public are invited to make donations, however large or small, either directly to the fund or through fund-raising initiatives in their local communities.

The fund will close on December 31, 2004. At that point, a sum of money will be designated for the construction of the memorials.

In addition, contributions may be made from the fund towards memorials elsewhere in Scotland once the final amount is known. Any remaining monies will be divided amongst the Queen Mother's Scottish charities.

Patron of the trust, HRH The Prince Charles and Her Majesty The Queen are both being closely consulted on the design of the memorial and HRH has approved the appointment of architect Lachlan Stewart, renowned for his work on the Castle of Mey and Eileen Donan Castle.

(gmcg)

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