Infected blood memorial testament to the 'courage' of victims, Yorkshire survivor says

Some 122 boys living at Hampshire’s Treloar’s School were subjected to unethical research from the 1970s, with 72 known to have died as a result of their treatment for haemophilia.

Now, after suggestions set out in Sir Brian Langstaff’s final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, the UK’s first memorial to victims was unveiled this weekend.

Former Treloar’s pupil Richard Warwick, who lives in Yorkshire, was among those to attend.

“Today we recognise the profound and entirely avoidable harm inflicted on so many young lives here at Treloar’s and the lasting impact on their families,” he said.

“This memorial stands as a testament to their courage, their suffering, and their enduring legacy.”

As children, a cohort of haemophiliac boys had been enrolled as boarders in the 1970s and 80s at the then Lord Mayor Treloar College in order to have round-the-clock medical care on site as they gained an education.

But pupils were treated with Factor VIII and Factor IX concentrate, which was created from pooled plasma from up to 60,000 donors. Sadly it contained infected blood, and wasn’t heat treated to diminish the risk of contamination from viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis.

Many are now known to have been tragically infected with the deadly viruses, with many survivors suffering lifelong ill-health.

The Infected Blood Inquiry Final report found they had been subjected to clinical trials and research whilst health risks were ignored. Lawyers claim the school was acting in loco-parentis and in breach of its duty of care to the pupils and their parents, and a formal apology was issued to past pupils in 2024.

The memorial, organised by survivors including Mr Warwick along with Gary Webster, Steve Nicholls, and Adrian Goodyear, was funded by the Cabinet Office with Candour Productions.

The memorial, a bronze statue of two boys on a plinth, was sculpted by artist Tom Murphy, who crafted the Hillsborough Memorial. It now stands at the entrance to the school as a reminder of what its former pupils endured.

The tribute was unveiled on Saturday by inquiry chair Sir Brian, before MPs, family and campaigners.

“It is important that we keep a spotlight on the lessons of the inquiry and never forget the human tragedies at the heart of this scandal which has left long scars not only in this Hampshire community but across the UK,” he said.

Former pupil Gary Webster said it had been an “emotional day” as they remembered lost friends.

And Mr Warwick read out a letter to those gathered from the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.

“The events at Treloar’s School are among the most harrowing parts of the infected blood scandal,” the Prime Minister had written.

“The memorial will stand as a reminder to everyone of what must never be allowed to happen again.”