Campaign aims to raise £1m for memorial to victims of Piper Alpha disaster

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise £1 million to help maintain a memorial site for the victims of the Piper Alpha disaster.

A total of 167 people died on the North Sea oil platform when a fire broke out on July 6 1988.

The Pound for Piper campaign, raising money for the council-owned memorial gardens in Aberdeen’s Hazlehead Park, was launched by service solutions company Sodexo.

Organisers hope to reach the £1 million target by 2013, which will mark the 25th anniversary of the disaster.

Aberdeen City councillors Martin Greig and Jennifer Stewart have given their backing to the campaign.

Mr Greig said: “The memorial site is a very special place for the oil and gas industry and also for the citizens of Aberdeen.

“The generous extra attention means so much. The additional funds will make a big difference for the better. The gardens are well maintained by the council but they will really benefit from some extra kind support.

“Some more plants and flowers will raise the standard of the gardens. I am very grateful for the splendid boost to improve the park.”

Ms Stewart added: “Hazlehead Park is a splendid green site that is much loved by people of all ages. “