The daughter of the heroic school teacher murdered in the Dunblane Tragedy is rallying to safeguard the charitable trust set up in her memory.
Brave Gwen Mayor died while trying to protect her primary one pupils at Dunblane Primary who had been preparing for a PE lesson when evil struck on March 13, 1996.
The Gwen Mayor Memorial Trust – a charitable trust set up by the education union the Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) – was established in her memory.
It provides financial support for projects in arts, culture, music or sport and applications – from primary schools across Scotland – are submitted to the trustees.
But her daughter Debbie says that, despite running and supporting schools for almost 30 years, the number of applications it receives have, worryingly, fallen. Trustee membership has also dwindled and she is now fighting to raise awareness of the cause to keep her hero mum’s legacy alive.
Her efforts have been backed by TV icon Lorraine Kelly.
Speaking to the Observer this week, Debbie said: “The trust was set up by EIS in my mum’s memory to help support schools and projects she was interested in, such as the arts, music, mostly anything that enhanced pupils and gave them access to experiences they may not usually have been to for whatever reason.
“To have this legacy in her name has been nothing short of a privilege.
“Most people who lose their mum don’t have this sort of legacy left in her memory. To keep her name and respect for what she devoted her life to is incredible and very personal to us.”
Debbie said she had concerns that the trust could be in jeopardy which she says would be “completely disrespectful but also understandable” as it has run many years yet seems under utilised.
But EIS insists that the trust is in “good financial health” as it continues to support projects across the country.
Debbie explained: “The trust is made up of a mixture of representation from the EIS from an admin and finance basis, and myself and one other trustee who are of course more closely involved on a personal and emotional level.
“This has been previously my mum’s colleagues and close friends, who have given their time and commitment but they also have their own personal impacts from what happened and that can take its toll.
“So it’s just me left now, but I have had many offers from others willing to be a part of it.
“So what I’m really asking is, is there anyone out there who would have the time and inclination for at most one day a year to oversee the applications and help give feedback to the applications received that particular year; to help contribute to this worthwhile cause, their time and decision making as to where the funds are spent.
“This can even be done online without the need to attend an actual meeting.
“The EIS continue to be happy to support this but are lacking another trustee along with myself for their contribution”, she added.
TV star Lorraine took to her social media channels to share her support for Debbie and awareness of the trust.
She posted a picture of Gwen with the caption: “Teacher Gwen Mayor was murdered protecting school pupils in Dunblane Primary School – she was an incredible woman.
“Her daughter, Debbie, is raising awareness of her mum’s trust.
“There are valuable fundings available on an annual basis for projects to enhance pupils’ experiences in all the areas she would have loved best.
“And a wonderful legacy to her.”
Gwen was killed instantly when she was shot as she protected youngsters from a twisted gunman.
In total, 17 people were killed – including 16 pupils, aged between five and six, and Gwen.
The gunman then took his own life.
An EIS spokesperson said: “The EIS established the Gwen Mayor Trust in memory of teacher and EIS member Gwen Mayor, who was killed in the Dunblane tragedy in 1996. Since the establishment of the trust, hundreds of primary school projects in Scotland have received Trust funding, benefitting many thousands of young people right across the country.
“Trustees, who include both Gwen Mayor’s daughter and one of her former teaching colleagues, consider applications on an annual basis and agree the level of funding to be allocated to successful applicant schools.
“The Gwen Mayor Trust remains in good financial health, and continues to support a wide range of projects each year.
“The EIS publicises the trust in its magazine and in school mailings, as well as by other means, each year to advise primary schools of how to apply for funding.
“The EIS has a long-standing commitment to the work of the Trust, and believes that the Trust will continue to support primary school projects for many years to come.
“We’re currently considering how best to manage the recruitment of trustees in the future, in order to ensure that the charity can continue to offer support to primary schools, as a lasting legacy to the memory of Gwen Mayor.”