The legacy Diana left us ... and why we must all unite to fulfil her

THE death of Diana, Princess of Wales, touched the lives of millions. Forever all of us will remember where we were, what we thought and how we mourned.

And Diana's life has been an inspiration to millions too. Carrying on her work has been a constant theme of the Diana Memorial Committee, whose report is now available for public consultation.

More than 10,000 British people wrote to the Memorial Committee suggesting ways to remember her life and work.

That shows the depth of feeling about her and the things she stood for, which we have tried to carry on in the ideas we have proposed.

We wanted to do something which would reflect her life and work, her care and compassion and the things that were close to her. I believe we have done that in a way which allows as many people as possible to benefit from the example she set.

Children were close to her heart and will always be associated with her, particularly those who are ill or need encouragement to make the most of their abilities and their lives. That is why we were immediately attracted to suggestions for "Diana's Angels" and awards for children who have contributed in some positive way to the life of their community.

Diana nurses will work with children and their families, making sure that they can spend as much time as possible together in their own homes. Excellent medical treatment through the NHS is already there. But that is not enough. Families need a full range of care and support to stay together at such a difficult time.

Community nursing teams will work with schools, voluntary organisations and other groups all over the country to provide the extra emotional and practical help families need. There are about 13,000 families needing such help at any time. I am sure that giving them that help is something that Diana would have wished to see. But all children need encouragement to become responsible adults, involved in the lives of their community and helping those less fortunate than themselves, as Diana herself did. The awards we have proposed will do that.

Each secondary school will be able to recognise the achievements of children who have made an outstanding contribution in this way.

Nominations can be made by anyone. If you know of children who have worked with the sick, the elderly or the vulnerable or who have overcome adversity or disadvantage themselves in an exemplary way, you will be able to show them how valuable their contributions are by putting them forward for an award. Our communities will be the better for having their example available to encourage others - of all ages - to follow in their footsteps.

But we also need something which we can all share to remember her by.

The most popular suggestion that the Committee received was for a commemorative garden. I think it is right that we should reflect that in our proposals. Many people visit Kensington Gardens to remember Diana, and we believe that a suitable, sympathetic way to enhance these is the best way to do this.

Our proposals are simple and dignified. We will not only enable people to continue to visit the existing gardens, but by creating a three-mile walkway enable visitors to follow the route from Westminster to Kensington. As thousands walk instead of travel by coach or car we will relieve the traffic congestion that worries local residents.

Diana loved water, indeed she is buried on an island. At Kensington there will be a dignified fountain at the heart of the gardens.

There will be an opportunity to see these plans in more detail soon, when they are exhibited for the public to discuss and comment on. I know that some of those living locally are concerned about how these proposals may affect them. I believe that they will be much more reassured when they have a chance to see them properly.

Our final proposal was for a commemorative coin. This is something which will be a simple tasteful way in which people, many of them overseas and who cannot otherwise feel part of the commemorative spirit, will be able to remember Diana. We shall ensure that the proceeds of issuing the coin will go to support the other proposals, so that those who collect them will in some small way contribute to the good that these will do.

The Committee was deeply impressed by the flood of ideas which we received, and the amount of time and care which went into them. I believe that those which we have chosen are the right ones to remember Diana by.

This week marks Diana's birthday. Within eight weeks we will mark the first anniversary of her death. It is expected that in these weeks thousands will flock to the gardens as well as to Althorp.

As we create Diana nurses, and Diana school awards for community service, we are remembering aspects of her personality and her life and work which deserve to be remembered.

I hope the country that mourned so deeply last year can unite around proposals which stand for care, compassion and commitment to public service and so take on Diana's work.

Copyright 1998 MGN LTD
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