Newsletter 8 – May, 2010
Jem Wright presented with the Elizabeth Cross

On Saturday, 7th March, 2010, Jem Wright was presented with the Elizabeth Cross along with a scroll signed by The Queen by Major General David Shaw, Chief of Staff of the Army in Scotland. This was to further recognise the sacrifice made by her son Corporal Mark Wright GC. The presentation was made at the annual fundraising ball of the UK Reserve Forces Association at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. The Mark Wright Project was honoured by the association by being  the recipient of funds raised at the ball through Tombola and a Charity Auction. Bob and Jem were Guests of Honour at the top table and our charity was well represented by Directors and Volunteers with their spouses. The evening proved to be an outstanding success. See links to Scotsman and News of the World articles on the Home Page.

Greater Love Concert
The Greater Love Concert took place on St Valentine’s Day,  14th February, 2010, with all the proceeds going to The Mark Wright Project. Around 500 people attended in what turned out to be a splendid venue  for a most enjoyable concert.
Before the concert began The Mark Wright Project team and guests attended a brief reception at the request of the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Bob Winter. Unfortunately, he was unable to attend but 3 senior members of his administration were present to pay tribute to our charity.

Sally McNair of the BBC Scotland Reporting Scotland news team opened the actual concert with some introductory words on The Mark Wright Project, the work being done by the charity and the need for it at this present time.
The programme was wide and varied incorporating the Royal Scottish Academy Brass section under the direction of Bryan Alklen, Jamie MacDougall, one of Scotland’s most versatile singers and performers, Clydebank Male Voice Choir, Glasgow University Chapel Choir directed by James Grossmith, actor Frank Miller

who read from the letter to the Corinthians, organist Oliver Rundell opera singers Christina Dunwoodie, Linda Finnie, Judith Howarth, Julian Tovey and last but not  least, our own Fiona MacDonald who played a major part in bringing the artistes together and organising the event.
Our thanks to all who made the event such a great event by their performance and attendance.

Newsletter 8 – May, 2010 Part2

Ton on a Towpath
On 27th March, 2010,  Donald Kettrick, a constable at Bonnyrigg Police Stationset off on a 100 miles long run from Wester Hailes which took him to Glasgow and back via the Canal towpaths within 24 hours – a fantastic achievement!
Primarily, Donald, was running in memory of a close colleague, PC Martin Barber who tragically died of a heart attack last year while on a short trip in the Lake District with his then 3 year old son Alex.  Martin’s death came as a great shock to his family, friends and colleagues as he did not appear to have any health problems. Donald, who was accompanied on his run by his friend Mark Rankin, chose The Mark Wright Project as the beneficiary of the results of his efforts. In the event, Donald completed the run in just over 23 hours and raised approaching £3000 for our charity. Our thanks to Donald and his friends for their generosity.

Royal Marine Association visit
On Saturday, 20th February, 2010, members of The East of Scotland Royal Marines travelled down from Arbroath to visit The Mark Wright Project Centre. Bob, Jem, Andrew and Harry had previously met up with the Marine lads . at the Air Display at RAF Leuchars where they had an adjacent stand. True to their word they paid us the promised visit.
The Marines were given a conducted tour round the centre and all were very impressed with the facilities on offer to our ex service men and women. After a chat and a coffee they kindly presented a £100 cheque to Bob Wright towards the funding of the centre.  Our photograph is supplied by Wallace Ferrier of Arbroath and shows the group at the centre with Quartermaster Stuart Laverty of The Royal Marines Association presenting the cheque to Bob Wright.

A Visit from Down Under
From 9th to 13th February, 2010, we were visited by Jane Nash from Australia. Jane is an internationally renowned, highly qualified and experienced NLP Master practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Forensic Hypnotist. At no cost to The Mark Wright Project, Jane conducted seven separate workshops on subjects such Hypnosis and Self Hypnosis as well as Introductory talks on NLP ( Neuro Linguistic Programming ) and EFT ( Emotional Freedom Techniques ).
Everyone who attended the workshops reported them as being informative, entertaining and, perhaps, life changing.  By way of thanks to Jane for her generosity, Jem made a presentation to her on behalf of the charity. Jane hopes to return later in the year in October. Jane’s website is at www.janenash.com .

Up and Coming Events
The Mark Wright Project have played a prominent part via Bob Wright and Nancy Campbell in the Welcome Home Heroes Fund for the return of 3 Rifles from Afghanistan. The parade down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh takes place on Saturday, 8th May, 2010.  See the link on our Home Page for details.
A Fundraising Ceilidh Night is being held on Saturday, 22nd May, 2010, ( 7pm ‘til late ) in Bonnyrigg Ex – Servicemen’s Club. There is a Dance and Buffet plus a Raffle with some splendid prizes. Entertainment with Andrew Knight and the West Telferton Band. Tickets cost £8 and can be obtained from the centre by phoning 0131 660 5537.
There are many wonderful people who have just completed or will be completing sponsored events on behalf of our Charity, some of whom are listed below –
25th April, 2010 – London Marathon – Steven Waterston, The Mad Army Chef
30th April, 2010 – Great Glen Walk – Tam Smith
2nd May, 2010 – BUPA Great Edinburgh Run – David Hall and Colin Taylor
15th May, 2010 – Pen Y Fan Climb – Stuart Pearson
16th May, 2010 – Manchester 10K – Fergus Watt
23rd May, 2010 – Edinburgh Marathon – Donna Leslie
23rd May, 2010 – Hairy Haggis Relay – Anne Patrick, Stephen McGee, Rebecca McGhee, Carol Hamilton
23rd May, 2010 – Edinburgh Marathon – Lawrence MacIntosh
23rd May, 2010 – Edinburgh Marathon, Hairy Haggis Relay – Karen Slupinski, Emily Cowen, Anne Bonandrini and Stepanie Craigie
23rd May, 2010 – Edinburgh Marathon – Laura Hamilton and Jennifer Dean
23rd May, 2010 – Edinburgh Marathon, Half Marathon, Hairy Haggis Relay – Lewis Gusterson and East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron.

If you wish to support any of the above efforts, you can log on to our JustGiving website and make your donation by selecting the relevant party at www.justgiving.com/markwrightproject