Xander Irvine: Fundraiser for three-year-old crash victim raises almost double its £4,000 target in 24 hours

A fundraiser set up to fund a memorial for a toddler who died in a crash has raised almost double its £4,000 target in the space of a day.

Three-year-old Xander Irvine was tragically killed when he was out for a walk with his mum in Morningside, Edinburgh on 30 June last year.

Almost a year on, a fundraiser has been set up to fund a Snail and the Whale wooden carving in his name, a design inspired by books written by Julia Donaldson and Axel Schaffer, which Xander loved.

In less than 24 hours, the gofundme page has raised almost double its target, with funds currently sitting at £7,210.

More than 500 people have donated money so far to the worthy cause and the fundraiser page has been shared almost 900 times across social media.

Rosalind Wood, who set up the page, said the money will pay for the whale carving which has been hand-carved by a craftsman based in Lincoln.

The large whale sculpture will be placed in the Morningside Playpark where Xander often played.

Ms Wood said Edinburgh City Council has offered to transport and install the sculpture free of charge so that the funds raised are solely used to pay for the carving.

Xander Irvine, who was killed in a crash in Morningside last year.

She added: “Any donation you can make would be very much appreciated - it would be wonderful if as many people as possible can know they have contributed to such an important memorial in the park.

"It is hoped that children will enjoy playing on the carving for many years to come.”

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