Generous readers donate £9k to Mark Wright centre

Bob and Jem Wright have called for government funding for the centre

The fundraising total comes as Midlothian MP, David Hamilton, offered his support to the campaign, and called for the centre to become a pilot for Scottish Government-funded veteran services. Edinburgh West MP Mike Crockhart has also offered his support.

The charity in Dalkeith has been inundated by offers from generous readers since we took up the call of founders Bob and Jem Wright to save their veterans' centre.

Donations include 500 paid directly into the charity's bank account by one supporter and an envelope containing 200 in cash mailed by another.

The couple, whose son Cpl Mark Wright, GC, died in a minefield in Afghanistan in 2006, have warned they may have to sell his medals to raise money to keep the centre open.

They have called on the UK Government for funding so they can continue to offer emotional, social and practical support to those suffering from their experiences of war.

Mr Wright said the response to the campaign had been overwhelming, not only in the form of donations, but also from people wanting to hold fundraising events. "It's great. There was 500 donated by one person, we've had pensioners sending 10, 20, saying 'I'm sorry, I wish it was more'. But every penny counts."

The project also had a boost last week when Labour leader Ed Miliband visited the centre to meet the Wrights and many of the veterans who use its services.

The charity's treasurer, Andrew Brash, said: "The donations go from 10 up to 500. There are also e-mails from people wanting to do things - this lady's parents came in last week and gave us tea and coffee for the kitchen, and a donation of 100, and she works at the Gyle, and she's asking if we want to go and discuss doing a bucket collection at the Gyle.

"Little things like that are huge - they all add up."

Meanwhile, Mr Hamilton, who spent five years on Westminster's defence select committee, also gave his backing.

He said: "There are a number of organisations that are being helpful for those that are in the services and those who have left, but it's the PTSD levels that are not being picked up and it specialises in that."

Mr Hamilton pledged to discuss the matter with Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray and health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie, and said: "I do think the Scottish Government should look at the possibility of pilot projects, and Mark Wright could be one in the east of Scotland. There's no reason we shouldn't look at funding three or four years, do the analysis and see what's working."

The campaign also won the backing of Mr Crockart who has written to Defence Secretary Liam Fox, urging the government to back the project.

He said:" The Mark Wright Project is an excellent centre giving essential help and, more importantly, hope to many local ex-service personnel.

"I am glad to support the Evening News campaign and I'll do anything I can to assist this project to find alternative funding".

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