Search for sculptor to create bronze statue of pioneering medic
The winning design for the statue of Doctor Elsie Inglis will be placed on the Royal Mile
A search is underway for a sculptor to create a bronze statue of the pioneering medic, Doctor Elsie Inglis which will be placed on the Royal Mile.
The initial target of £50,000 was raised by the charity, ‘Statue for Elsie Inglis’, but the original price tag has gone up due to the rising cost of materials and production.
The appeal for more funding continues via a Crowdfunding page found on www.elsieinglis.org and through a series of fundraising events, currently being planned for March next year in Edinburgh.
Dr Inglis, born in 1864, was a pioneering physician and surgeon, ardent Suffragist and campaigner for women’s medical education and founder of the WW1 Scottish Women’s Hospitals.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “It’s fantastic that the campaign for a Statue for Elsie has reached this important and exciting stage.
“There is no doubt that Dr Elsie Inglis – war hero, pioneering medic, advocate of women’s rights – is a truly revered and treasured figure in our city’s history and I very much look forward to seeing what creative suggestions are brought forward by artists.
“My thanks to everyone involved in this project, including the dedicated group of enthusiastic volunteers who are working tirelessly organising the fundraising initiatives and helping ensure her legacy”.
‘‘We cannot wait to see the concept and ideas for the statue”, says Alison Collington, a trustee of the charity, ‘Everyone involved in this campaign wants to see a permanent legacy match the importance of her work and all that Elsie stood for”.
She added, ‘We’ve made our commitment to honour Elsie and we’ll make it happen - every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference”.
The winning design will be announced in April next year.