Trust set up in honour of Dundee bard Michael Marra

THE family of Michael Marra, the legendary “Bard of Dundee,” has set up a special trust to help realise his dream of establishing a Sistema Scotland music project in his native city.

The acclaimed singer-songwriter, who had shared the stage with artists ranging from Van Morrison to the Proclaimers, died last month in the city’s Ninewells Hospital, aged 60, after a long battle against cancer.

Mr Marra had been pursuing his aim of bringing the Sistema music charity to Dundee in the months before his death and more than £2000 was donated in support of the charity by mourners at his funeral.

The Sistema project was originally established in Venezuela and the first Scottish branch of the project was set up in the Raploch area of Stirling in 2008 .

A spokesman for Mr Marra’s wife Peggy and their two children, Alice and Matthew said: ‘’Peggy, Alice and Matthew, along with the rest of the Marra family, have passed on their most sincere thanks to their friends in Dundee and from far beyond for their kind words and tributes to the late Michael Marra, who died on 23 October.

‘’The many generous acknowledgements from across Scotland and far beyond to Michael and his work throughout the arts have helped to comfort his family at this sad time.”

He continued: ‘’The family are also very grateful for the donations to bring the Sistema music project for children to Dundee. A trust has been established in Michael’s name to this end and plans are already in place for other fundraising activities.

‘’It was Michael’s dream to bring this life-changing musical experience to Dundee’s children. The Marra family will continue to raise money to make Michael’s dream a reality and bring Sistema to Dundee.’’