She is expected to sit with the bereaved families of the Southport attack as an independent chair
The Marina Dalglish Appeal is donating £2m to provide The Walton Centre,Fazakerley,with an Intraoperative MRI scanner in the hospital’s new theatre development. Marina Dalglish outside the development before they were taken on a site visit of where the new scanner will be housed.(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Lady Marina Dalglish MBE is to be appointed as the independent chair of the project board overseeing the regeneration of Southport‘s Town Hall Gardens. Marina, who runs the Marina Dalglish Appeal and is wife to Liverpool FC legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, will sit alongside the families of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King who were killed in the Southport attack last year.
As well as the families, she will also sit alongside funders as the legacy project progresses. Sefton Council made the announcement following the end of the first phase of the plans which saw an engagement and consultation period with the community to seek views from residents, businesses and visitors on how the future should look.
The historic space outside Southport Town Hall in the town centre wiull undergo significant transformation to create a space which will be family-friendly, child-orientated and an open-air performance and gathering place.
The gardens act as a thank you to the people of Southport following the horrific attack in the town last year.
Alice, Elsie and Bebe all shared a love for dance, music and the arts which has provided inspiration for the project, the council said in its announcement.
A mock-up of Southport Town Hall Gardens project
Feedback from the first phase of the project showed support for the gardens, with views focussed on the recurring themes of water features, preservation of the town’s heritage and access for vehicles.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We are delighted that Lady Dalglish MBE will sit as independent Chair for the Town Hall Gardens project.
“Her expertise and determination to craft and lead on projects specifically designed to ‘give back’ to communities is nothing short of extraordinary.
“Not only is Lady Daglish MBE an honorary Sandgrounder, she is an unwaveringly compassionate, kind and determined figurehead who will bring so much to the project board.”
Lady Marina Dalglish MBE said: “Southport has been our family home for many years and we were deeply touched by the strength and hope shown by everyone involved in their desire to give something back to the town.
“The Town Hall Gardens regeneration will be a wonderful way to create a lasting legacy to the great people of Southport, while honouring the fantastic spirits of Alice, Bebe and Elsie.
“To be the independent chair on the project board is a real privilege and I will do my utmost to support the families and to help deliver something that they and the entire town can be hugely proud for generations to come.”
Lady Dalglish’s appointment, along with approvals related to procurement matters, is set to be formalised by Sefton Council’s cabinet on Thursday, November 6.
For more information about the project please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/townhallgardens.