Newsletter Issue 4, August 2009
Mark Wright House opens at Erskine Edinburgh
Mark Wright House, the first Army Recovery Unit, was opened on Monday, 17th August, 2009, at the Erskine Home, Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh. This MOD facility was supported by the Help for Heroes charity and named in honour of Corporal Mark Wright GC. Some Directors of The Mark Wright Project were invited to the unveiling of the new unit and they were extremely honoured to be in attendance.
Mark Wright House is the first of what may be a series of Army Recovery Units for our serving soldiers. This MOD recovery unit, although named in honour of Mark is not affiliated in any way with The Mark Wright Project Charity which aims to support the veterans community via the development of a specialised Drop-in Centre.
The Mark Wright House, Army Recovery Unit, opening ceremony took place in rather damp and wet conditions but the weather did not spoil what was a momentous occasion. The platform party comprised Mark’s parents, Bob and Jem, Under Secretary for State for Defence Kevan Jones, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt, Major General Andrew Mackay, CEO of Erskine Major Jim Panton and the Chief Executive of Help for Heroes Bryn Parry accompanied by his wife Emma. After the opening speeches which were widely covered by the media, the unveiling of the sign highlighting Mark Wright House was fittingly carried out by one of the first patients, Lance Corporal Robert Reid of 1 SCOTS.
After the Opening Ceremony, Bob and Jem together with Mark’s Grandparents, Joe and May Reid, Harry and Cathy Pearson and Nancy Campbell were given a conducted tour of the state of the art facility by James Scott, Chairman of the Erskine board. In the entrance hall in a prominent position a framed display hangs containing a biography of Mark with some photographs from his early life and army career. The Bedrooms, Clinical, Office, Dining and Recreational facilities are second to none and the visitor cannot fail to be impressed.
Before the morning was through, Bob and Jem were subject to mass media attention and they handled this with great patience and dignity on what was for them, particularly, a very emotional occasion. They also expressed the view that they thought Mark would have approved that his name be associated with a unit helping fellow soldiers back to fitness and good health.
A high standard has been set as a benchmark for the aspirations and aims of The Mark Wright Project.
Pigeon Auction Raises £5000 for The Mark Wright Project
Sunday, 16th August, 2009, brought a charity sale by auction of racing pigeons on behalf of The Mark Wright Project. This was held at Newbridge Bowling Club and well attended by the Scottish pigeons fraternity. 
Some 31 lots ( some singles, some pairs ) were on view for an hour before the auction commenced. The auctioneer, Frank Baillie, and his assistants performed admirably in succeeding to get the best possible price for each bird. The highlight of the evening was the auctioning of a prize pigeon donated by The Royal Loft at Sandringham. This provided quite a flurry of bids with the bird finally changing ownership for £410. The auction raised £4230 inclusive of some donations. A raffle and the sale of wristbands brought the overall total for the night to almost £5000.
This was a great effort by all involved and the thanks from all at The Mark Wright Project go to Frank Baillie, Alex Webster, the assistants in the auction, everyone who donated their pigeons in aid of the charity, Tony Welsh for his help with the raffle, all who attended and contributed to the success of the evening, the management, staff and membership of Newbridge Bowling Club and last but not least Sergeant Civil and the lads and lassies from 28 Platoon, Broxburn, of D Company, Lothian and Borders Army Cadets for their help with issuing the programmes, general stewarding, assisting with the raffle and clearing up the premises at the end of the event.