Newsletter, December 2009
Opening of The Mark Wright Project – Drop In Centre
Saturday, 21st November, 2009, saw the official opening of The Mark Wright Project Centre at Hardengreen Business Centre in Dalkeith. Despite the forecast of heavy rain, it remained dry for the period of the opening.
This was much to the relief of Bob, Jem and the others organising the event due to the wonderful turnout of honoured guests and friends showing their support.
It was a proud but emotional day for Bob and Jem to have Mark’s memory commemorated by the opening of such a fine facility to help his comrades in a way that he would have wished.
The proceedings commenced outside the centre with a Colours parade presided over by the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh who was accompanied by the Lady Provost. The standard bearers represented Portobello RBLS, Biggar RBLS, Penicuik RBLS, Portobello RAF Cadets, Penicuik Army Cadets, The Parachute Regimental Association – Lothian Branch, Royal Scots Association – Edinburgh and our thanks go out to all who made this such a fine display.
The centre was then officially opened by Colonel Stuart Tootal who highlighted the need for the facility and how fitting that it should be named after such a brave soldier as Corporal Mark Wright GC of 3 PARA. Colonel Tootal unveiled a portrait of Mark and a plaque to mark the occasion. Bob Wright thanked Colonel Tootal and everyone for coming along noting how Mark would have been so proud to have been associated with the charity and it’s objectives.
The centre was then open to all to explore and help themselves to some tea, coffee and a snack served by some willing volunteers. Everyone seemed to mix well in the home from home atmosphere that we wish to create and maintain.
December, 2009 - Newsletter..... continued
In addition to Colonel Tootal and the Lord and Lady Provost of Edinburgh, we were also honoured by the presence of many other distinguished guests including the 
Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian- Patrick Pender, the Provost of Midlothian-Adam Montgomery, MP for Midlothian – David Hamilton, Rhona Brankin MSP, the Principal Officer, US Consulate General – Dana Linnet, Major Roddy Sutherland from Mark Wright House, The Army Recovery Centre, Lt Col Charlie Herbert – CO 1 Scots, Major Christopher Willis – OC 3 Rifles Rear Ops, Provincial Grand Master, Midlothian- Brian Kersley.
Many other friends were present who have supported us in the past and continue to do so. In this context I must mention Frank Brown, Chairman of The Tall Ship, Glasgow, Daniel Campbell, renowned Scottish artist, Malcolm MacGregor, Landscape Photographer, Dr Zoe Chouliara, Health Psychology, Queen Margaret University, Dr Thanos Karatzias, Reader, Napier University, Liz Stanton of IKEA Edinburgh, Kirsten Gooday of CCP Scotland and Colonel Martin Gibson, formerly CEO of Erskine.
Bob, Jem and their fellow directors very much appreciated the presence of Mark’s former comrades from 3 Para who had travelled up the previous day from their base at Colchester in Essex – Sergeant Major Billy MacAleese, Sgt Lee Parker, Sgt Dave Ingleby and LCpl George McGinney. They had also brought with them a gift of an Airborne Mirror kindly donated from an ex Para Frank Dancer from Southhampton. This takes pride of place on the wall of the meeting room in the centre.
Colonel Tootal signed copies of his recently published book on the conflict in Afghanistan – Danger Close (detail click here) All proceeds of those sold at the signing were donated to The Mark Wright Project.
All said, it turned out a memorable day thanks to all who supported our charity on the day and on the run up to it – a special mention and thanks also to all the volunteers who performed their duties admirably.
Fundraising
Eloquent Protest – Held on Armistice Sunday in The Duke of York Theatre, London, Eloquent Protest is an artists’ response to the human cost of war. It is an annual event which this year raised £1000 for The Mark Wright Project. Taking part this year amongst many others were Jason Isaacs ( reading letters, with the kind permission of his family, from Cyrus Thatcher, killed in Afghanistan earlier in the year ), Robert Powell and Sam West. Our charity was represented by Fiona MacDonald.
Sponsored Events – In recent months Jean Neill and Mairi Gorrie participated in a sponsored cycle run ( raising over £300 ) from Culloden Battlefield to Craigiehall and Eddie Wright completed the Loch Ness Marathon ( raising over £1000 )– all to the benefit of The Mark Wright Project. Our thanks to Jean, Mairi and Eddie for their valiant efforts and to their sponsors for their donations to our cause.
During the month the final amount for The Tall Ship event was received raising the total to over £11,000 – a tremendous effort and thanks to Fiona MacDonald and friends.
Coming up in the future – Charlotte Fox is running in the BUPA Great Winter Run in January, Norma Bone in the Valencia Marathon in February and Edinburgh Marathon in May, Donald Kettrick plans to run the length of the Forth and Clyde canal and back – a distance of 100 miles. All of them have their own sponsor pages on Justgiving if you wish to donate.
In New Zealand in January, Scott Stephen, Stuart MacKintosh and David Sparks are taking part in a sponsored climb over Mount Aspiring – a total distance of 37 miles and the height to the summit is 9950 feet. Scott is doing a great job raising the profile of our charity in New Zealand.
Our best wishes and thanks go out to all of them.
Forthcoming Concert – Our next event is “GREATER LOVE” at Glasgow City Concert Halls on the afternoon of 14th February, 2010 – Valentine’s Day. Tickets are available from City Hall box office at £15 – Tel 0141 353 8000. Join us in a celebration of love and music. More details will be published on our web site at an early date.