Gurmail Singh memorial fund nears £1,500

Jun 15 2010 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PLANS for a memorial to tragic shopkeeper Gurmail Singh are taking shape.

Members of the Cowcliffe community set up a fund after the 63-year-old died following an attack at Cowcliffe Convenience Stores in February.

The money was initially intended as a reward for information to help catch and convict his killers.

But after five men were charged with his murder, it was decided the cash would be used to create a permanent memorial to the much-loved grandfather.

Kevin Holmes, of Princewood Lane, Birkby, is one of the people behind the fund.

The retired lecturer said £1,475 had been donated so far.

One of the ideas is for a bench engraved with Mr Singh’s name on Cowcliffe Hill Road, yards from the shop and opposite the Singh family home.

He added: “There’s an area of land that we want to level and tidy and put a bench up, maybe with some flowers.

“Any money left over would go to Mrs Singh.

“The money we’ve got so far is more than I’d hoped for.

“I had a figure of about £1,000 in mind, but people have been very generous.

“Only last week we had an anonymous donation for £20.”