Michael Marra’s family have set up a trust in his name to help realise his dream of establishing a music charity in the city after more than £2,000 was donated by mourners at his funeral.
The Dundee musician, actor and artist, who passed away last month, had been actively pursuing his goal of bringing the Sistema Scotland music project to Dundee in the months before he died.
The project, established in Venezuela in 1975, is a state foundation that watches over Venezuela’s 125 youth orchestras and the associated instrumental training programmes.
A spokesman for Michael’s wife Peggy and their two children, Alice and Matthew, said they were grateful for the donations that were added to by another donation of £500 from Dundee vocal group Loadsaweeminsingin’.
The spokesman said: ”Peggy, Alice and Matthew, along with the rest of the Marra family, have passed on their most sincere thanks to their friends in Dundee and from far beyond for their kind words and tributes to the late Michael Marra, who died on October 23 this year.
”The many generous acknowledgements from across Scotland and far beyond to Michael and his work throughout the arts have helped to comfort his family at this sad time.
”The family are also very grateful for the donations to bring the Sistema music project for children to Dundee. A trust has been established in Michael’s name to this end and plans are already in place for other fundraising activities.
”It was Michael’s dream to bring this life-changing musical experience to Dundee’s children. The Marra family will continue to raise money to make Michael’s dream a reality and bring Sistema to Dundee.”
The first Scottish branch of the project was set up in the Raploch area of Stirling in 2008 and Glasgow is set to establish the project there, while Sistema is understood to be in positive talks with Dundee City Council, Aberdeen and Fife.Blackadders solicitors in Dundee are receiving donations in Michael’s name and any further donations would be gratefully received. Cheques should be sent to Blackadders, 30 & 34 Reform Street, Dundee DD1 1RJ, made payable to Blackadders and marked on the back for Michael Marra, Sistema, Dundee.awilson@thecourier.co.uk