Trust overwhelmed by response to Hillsborough Memorial repair appeal AN appeal to restore a vandalised Hillsborough Memorial garden in Port Sunlight has raised £4,000.In what has been described as a "despicable" act, memorial stones were thrown across the gardens in the village and decorative balustrades were kicked and smashed during the attack, which occured sometime between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday June 7.
The Port Sunlight Village Trust needs to raise £26,500 to restore the Portland stonework, improve security in the garden and introduce an information panel highlighting the importance of the memorial to visitors.
It is hoped enough will have been raised by Christmas to start restoration work early in the New Year, with a re-dedication of the memorial taking place in the spring.
The Trust's chief executive Lionel Bolland said: "We have been overwhelmed by donations and offers of help in-kind from individuals and organisations, local, national and international.
"Liverpool Football Club, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest have all pledged their support, as have National Museums Liverpool.
"We have been particularly touched by the Hillsborough Family Support Group who generously donated a £1,000 to the appeal."
There was a collection at the Village fair on Sunday.
Donations for the Village Trust's appeal can be sent to: 23 King George’s Drive, Port Sunlight CH62 5DX.
The memorial was the first to be dedicated after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 in memory of the 96 people who tragically lost their lives.
Created by Unilever the garden was for staff, who lost loved ones in the Hillsborough disaster 20 years ago, to pay their respects.
To raise awareness of the appeal, a leaflet has been created and distributed for free by Wirral businesses.
A programme of local events to help generate funds, details of which will be announced shortly.
For more about the appeal or to make a donation visit portsunlightvillage.com or call 0151 644 4800. THE GLOBE
