Fund's launch raises £13,000

From the archive, first published Thursday 1st Dec 2005.

A memorial fund set up by an Oxford woman who lost her sister in the July 7 bombings in London said its launch was a great success -- thanks in part to the Oxford Mail.

Esther Hyman, of Cowley Road, has set up the Miriam Hyman Memorial Fund in the hope of making something positive come of her sister's death.

Miriam, who would have been 33 on November 30, died on the bus that was blown up in Tavistock Square.

On Sunday, November 27, Esther, 36, and her parents held a fundraising event attended by more than 600 people. More than £13,000 was raised.

Esther, a medical secretary at the John Radcliffe Hospital, said: "The event was a huge success and was extremely well attended.

"The coverage in the Oxford Mail definitely made a difference. We had donations from people who had seen the article and felt compelled to help.

"It was a brilliant event and a wonderful opportunity for family and friends of Miriam to gather together and offer each other support, while also remembering her and raising money for a good cause."

The fund initially aims to support a fellowship for charity Orbis, which will enable eyecare experts in the developing world to get specialist training.

Ms Hyman said: "We decided to support Orbis because Miriam was passionate about this type of work after discovering she was short-sighted in her teens.

"I remember it being such a revelation the first time she wore glasses and could actually see leaves on the trees.

"The great thing is that we have now kickstarted the fund in the best way possible and £13,000 was a brilliant sum to raise, but that figure will continue to grow.

"This is just the start and it could not be going better.

"It was our aim to make something positive come out of Miriam's death and the fact that this is now happening is definitely helping us all."

Cards designed by Miriam, as well as handpainted silks and scarves made by the sisters' mother, Mavis, were among the items on sale at the event in north London.

To find out more about the memorial fund, see www.miriam-hyman.com

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