We were honoured to be joined by bereaved families from all over Scotland at the Contaminated Blood Memorial Event on 2nd March 2016 at the Augustine United Church in Edinburgh.
We were also pleased to welcome representatives from other support organisations, including The Hepatitis C Trust, HIV Scotland, The Scottish Infected Blood Forum, The Haemophilia Society, Haemophilia Wales, and Thompsons Solicitors The Scottish Government were extremely well represented by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing
, and Sport, Shona Robinson MSP. We also welcomed our longtime supporter Richard Lyle MSP.
The event was presided over by Richard Holloway and featured moving readings from, or suggested by, the bereaved families. We also had music from
our own Andy Gunn
We know that ill health and the enduring stigma of the infections meant that many people were with us in spirit but not able to attend in person. While there was no filming or photography during the event, we hope the following links will give a sense of the occasion.
- Introduction by Bill Wright Chair
- Andy Gunn – Hurts and Haunts
- The Act of Farewell by Richard Holloway. Followed by the laying of flowers in remembrance.
- FM – Haemophilia Scotland
- Lorna Rusling, Cheryl and Leone Bissett launched the Contaminated Blood Memorial Fund.
You can donate to the Contaminated Blood Memorial Fund online or by texting CBME23 to 70070. The default text donation is £10 but you can give more or less by adding an amount to your text.
We are very grateful for the coverage that the Contaminated Blood Memorial Fund has already received in the Scottish media.