A petition calling for public memorial to gay rights activist Mark Ashton in Portrush continues to gather momentum with over 26,000 signatures.
And now a crowdfunding page set up to raise money for a blue plaque in his name has reached £2,500 of its £5,000 target in less than a week.
If successful the blue plaque for Mark Ashton would be the first to celebrate an LGBT campaigner in Northern Ireland.
The petition and blue plaque campaign were started by Jude Copeland, a lawyer, amateur historian and volunteer with several local charities, who said: “It is difficult to put into words what the success of this petition means to me. I had anticipated some low number of signatures, the figures 70 and 300 were in my head.
“A motion is being brought to the local council to earmark public funds for a statue. After much contemplation, while a statue or large memorial to Mark would be well-deserved, we are in the middle of a global pandemic.
“Mums and dads can’t feed their children. People are worried about their jobs. Nurses, for whom we clapped, are being insulted by a 1% pay rise. Those with the least are suffering the most.
“I can’t ask for public funds to be used for this memorial, but I have started a fundraising campaign for a plaque for Mark.
“Portrush was Mark Ashton’s home place. His legacy is recognised in London, Wales and Paris. We are fundraising for a plaque so, finally, Portrush can have pride in Mark.”
Ashton, originally from Oldham, moved to the seaside resort at a young age and went to the catering college in the town.
After completing his studies, he moved to London in 1978 where he became an influential figure in the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners movement during the Miners’ strike.
As a co-founder of the group, Mark forged an unusual friendship with Welsh Miners, supporting them during the strikes in the 1980s.
Ashton died at 26 years old of AIDS-related illnesses in 1987.
The crowd funding page can be accessed here
