'Fantastic' gesture sees £10k boost for veterans

The generous members of a social club have already given 5000 to the veterans' charity, which was set up by Jem and Bob Wright in memory of their son, Cpl Mark Wright.

Now the same club plans to give even more after members were touched by the plight of the couple, who are considering selling their son's medals to keep the charity afloat.

Together, the two donations will cover around two months' running costs for the organisation, which offers counselling, social and practical support to military veterans.

The latest pledge comes on top of around 20,000 already donated to the charity in the month since the Evening News backed its campaign to attract more funding.

Braes Social Club secretary and treasurer Bill McCabe said he intended to propose the 10,000 donation to his members this weekend and expected them to back it.

The club in Falkirk was once a British Legion Club, but broke away to become independent, and later decided to close its doors as it faced an ageing and declining membership.

The building was sold in 2008, and the remaining members are using some of the club's funds to make charitable donations ahead of formally winding it up.

Mr McCabe said: "We still have a few quid, which we've given out in donations to charities. We heard of their plight and my chairman and I were feeling very sorry for them.

"When my chairman saw the plight of Bob Wright he said 'That guy's having to sell his son's medals, when you get to something like that you're dealing with a sincere person, you're dealing with someone who's at his wits' end with what he can do to keep it open'."

Mr Wright said the donation had come as a great relief to the Dalkeith centre.

He said "It's absolutely fantastic, it's taken a fair bit of pressure off us. I never thought anybody would be so generous."

He added: "It's back to the public doing their bit again. You always fall back on the public, it shows how generous they are, but it's the government that should be putting their hands in their pocket."

The project has also received 620 from construction company Sir Robert McAlpine, which gives money to charity when its employees hit safety targets. The donation came courtesy of employees working on the extension of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in Morrison Street.

Many supporters have also come forward to organise fundraising events. The band Skerryvore will play a benefit gig at Dalkeith Miners Club on March 18, with all proceeds going to the project. Tickets can be bought from 07877 866 761.

Fernieside Boys Club is to donate all admission and collection money from the Storm-Shield Roofing Super Sixes tournament, to be held at Lasswade High School Sports Centre on Saturday.

A fundraising disco and buffet will also be held at The Croft Suite, Loanhead, on May 6, tickets from [email protected].

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donate directly to:

The Mark Wright Project, Bank of Scotland

Sort Code: 80 06 29. Account: 06006467

Send cheques, made out to The Mark Wright Project, to: Andrew Brash (Treasurer), The Mark Wright Project, 40/8 Hardengreen Business Park, Dalhousie Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 3NX

Visit www.justgiving.com/markwrightproject

For details of how to gift aid your contribution or to donate via payroll giving, see www.themarkwrightproject.org.uk/donating