March 9, 2018 10.00 am This story is over 71 months old

Princess Diana’s sister to open Boston memorial for crash victims

A day to remember those lost on the roads.

Princess Diana’s sister will open a memorial in Boston’s Westgate Woods next month in memory of all of Lincolnshire’s road crash victims.

The Princess of Wales died after a famous car crash in Paris in 1997 and her sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, who lives in Lincolnshire, replied to a written invitation to open the memorial and will cut a ribbon to unveil a memorial stone crafted by sculptor James Sutton.

Boston Woods Trusts, which owns and manages the woodland on the outskirts of Boston, made the area available and the trust successfully bid for a £10,000 Heritage Lottery Grant to help pay towards the cost of the path, with the memorial committee adding its contribution.

There have been many private donations and fundraising events organised by the committee.

A fundraising campaign raised £45,000 to provide a path through the woods to the memorial space so anyone an access it.

A wet oak shelter is set to be constructed to one side of the path for quiet reflection and to remember all those who have died in tragic circumstances on county roads.

The Lakeland green slate memorial, suitably engraved with a dedication and symbolic footsteps, will be laid into the path.

Campaign organiser Anne Bourne, of Boston, lost her daughter in a horrendous crash in which four people died and five children were left without their mothers. Her other daughter was seriously injured.

Ann said: “It has been a long, hard slog and I couldn’t have done it without all the support I have had from group members. We have been bowled over by the generosity we have received from those who have made donations and supported the fundraising events. We are all very grateful.”

Music and refreshments for invited guests and supporters are planned for what will be a day of celebration of the lives of those remembered.

For more information and to lend a hand at the opening, people can call 01205 367892.