Viola Beach memorial online appeal launched by Warrington Council

Warrington Borough Council have launched an online appeal to fund a permanent memorial to members of the indie band who died in a car crash in Sweden.

Published 24th Mar 2016

An online appeal has been launched by Warrington Borough Council to raise funds for a permanent memorial to Viola Beach.

The four members of the Warrington-based indie band and their manager died in a car crash in Sweden in February.

The money raised will be used by the families of Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and manager Craig Terry to commission a memorial for them.

The band and their manager were killed after they plunged over 80ft from a highway bridge into a canal.

Ben and Sharon Dunne, father and step-mum of guitarist River Reeves, said they would work “tirelessly” to raise funds for a memorial to mark Viola Beach’s musical impact on Warrington.

They said: “The memorial would give everyone an opportunity to reflect on what might have been but also realise the potential we all have to make amazing things happen.

“Once the memorial has been achieved, it might be that their legacy lives on and future fundraising is focused on supporting young musicians across the town to make their own dreams a reality.”

The fund opened on Wednesday the 16th of March and will remain open until the end of September this year.

Those who wish to donate can donate online by paying directly into the dedicated bank account or in person by cash or cheque at Warrington Town Hall Reception.

The council claim the total amount donated will be made public and the families will decide how the money is allocated.

Anyone interested in donating can do so HERE