Campaign launched to raise £1m to maintain oil disaster memorial site

A campaign to raise £1m to help maintain a memorial site for the victims of a North Sea oil rig blaze has been launched.

A total of 167 people died on the Piper Alpha 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.

It is hoped the £1m target will be reached by 2013, which will mark the 25th anniversary of the disaster.

Martin Greig and Jennifer Stewart, Aberdeen City councillors for Hazlehead, 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.

"Help with refurbishing the memorial gardens will not only be a fitting tribute to the victims of the disaster, but it will also attract more people into the park.

"The more visitors into the city's favourite park the better."

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