Leicester City to mark tragic anniversary with new memorial garden

Leicester City FC is set mark the first anniversary of its late chairman’s passing with the opening of a new memorial garden.

The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden will be located on the site of the tragic helicopter accident at the King Power Stadium that killed Srivaddhanaprabha, staff members Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai and pilots Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz in October 2018.

Floral tributes left following last year’s accident will support the garden’s growth, and the club has said that material tributes left during that time such as gifts, shirts, scarves, flags and personal mementos will be incorporated into the planned redevelopment and expansion of the King Power Stadium.

The site will be open to the public on 27 October following a private ceremony.

Leicester City chief executive Susan Whelan said: “Appropriate and respectful management of the accident site is something to which we have given great consideration over the last 12 months. Supporters and visitors have shown impeccable respect during our immediate efforts to protect it and we are now in a position to confirm our permanent intentions for the site.

“From the scene of a tragedy, we aim to build something peaceful, something poignant and something beautiful, where supporters of today and of future generations can remember what one man’s vision did for this club, this community.

“The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden will be the latest in a series of lasting tributes that will form part of Khun Vichai’s legacy.”