7 November 2011

Family of ex-Life Sciences employee present cheque in his honour

Photo opportunity: 4pm on Thursday, 10th November at Wellcome Trust Building Atrium Level 2, University of Dundee. Mr Clark’s family will present a cheque for £750 to Professor Dario Alessi of the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit.

The family of a former University of Dundee employee who helped raise thousands of pounds for scientific research will hand over a further £750 in his memory this week.

Albert Clark, popularly known as Abbie, worked for the University for 11 years, including 8 as a technician at the College of Life Sciences (CLS), before retiring in the summer of 2010. Sadly, Abbie passed away in July of this year.

During his time at the University, Abbie was a major supporter of research in the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit (MRC-PPU). Through Camperdown Lodge, he raised thousands of pounds to fund summer placements at CLS for research students from around the world.

In recognition of his fundraising passion, Abbie’s family decided to hold a collection for this cause at his funeral. His wife Charlotte, son Kevin, and daughter Caroline will present the process of this collection, totalling £500 plus £250 from a further collection, to Professor Dario Alessi, from the MRC-PPU, on Thursday, 10th November.

Professor Alessi paid tribute to Abbie, and thanked his family for continuing his legacy.

'Abbie was a very popular member of staff at the College of Life Sciences, and he helped to raise a lot of money for the MRC-PPU, which we are very grateful for,' he said.

'I would also like to thank Charlotte, Kevin and Caroline for carrying on Abbie’s fundraising work. Everyone here is humbled by this gesture and we will ensure it goes to good use. As Abbie’s previous fundraising was used to support the cost of bringing research students to the UK, this money will be used for the same purpose.

'His work enabled three students to come to Dundee and get their first flavour of research and also gain expertise and knowledge in diabetes research. Importantly, the majority of these students have since gone on to complete successful PhDs and are still working in science.

'Without the funds that Abbie and the Camperdown Lodge raised these students may not have had an opportunity to undertake a scientific research project and potentially might not be where they are now. The money that his family and friends raised will enable us to offer this opportunity to another student.'

Charlotte, Kevin and Caroline will present the cheque to Professor Alessi at Level 2 of the Wellcome Trust Building atrium, at 4pm on Thursday, 10th November.

Any enquiries on the day should be directed to Judith Hare on 01382 384241.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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