Fundraising for the Piper Alpha memorial gardens in Aberdeen has passed the £40,000 mark.
Efforts have been ramped up in recent month to mark 30 years since the tragedy, when 167 people lost their lives.
One of the most high-profile efforts have been the sale of dedicated North Sea monopoly boards, as well as a series of events arranged through the 167 Souls fundraising group and the Pound for Piper memorial trust.
167 Souls has now passed the £40,000 mark on its JustGiving page, more than £10,000 above its initial target.
The funds will be used for the future upkeep of the memorial gardens at Hazlehead Park.
Fundraiser Graeme Webster praised the efforts of those who have raised the funds.
“We have put the gardens on the map and it’s there for the people to maintain it. We aim to have the gardens used and appreciated and I think we have achieved that through 167 Souls.
“It’s a huge thanks to the unions, the people of Aberdeen and the oil and gas industry.
“It’s a message that these people will be remembered.”
A special memorial took place at the gardens last month to mark the tragedy, which is the worst in the history of North Sea oil and gas.
Mr Webster said a large part of the funds have come through the monopoly boards, which he helped organise along with Kenny Dooley from management consultancy C Growth and the Pound for Piper Trust.
A 167 Souls concert also took place at the Beach Ballroom in July.
Mr Webster said they can’t let up their efforts to make sure fundraising efforts, and continued interest in the gardens, goes on.
“It’s something that’s not going away, the more the better.
“The big thing for me is we have introduced it to a new audience, ordinary people.
“It is great to have all these positives that have come out of the 167 souls.
“There are people that have come to us making a point of visiting the gardens and we’ve appreciated their visit.
“We have made a good contribution. We’ve got to keep up with new ideas and keep them going.
“There’s no room for complacency, we have to maintain the interest.”
To contribute to 167 Souls, visit its JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/167souls
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