Why travel through northern Europe? 

Jane had visited each country on our route. We want to reconnect with Jane by visiting the places that she loved. In each destination, we will visit an art museum or gallery – just as Jane would have done.

Why start in Dundee and end in Moscow?

Jane was studying at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) in Dundee and lived in Dundee at the time of her untimely death. We want to honour Jane by setting up a student exchange between Dundee and Moscow, so it is fitting that we symbolise that exchange by starting and ending in each city respectively.

Jane had a love for Russian art and a desire to visit Russia one day. Sadly, she never got that chance. In visiting Moscow, we are also fulfilling that dream on her behalf.

So is it just a personal journey?

It’s more than a personal journey

Jane was so happy to have been given the opportunity to study at DJCAD.

She talked of studying art abroad, and she would have loved to have the opportunity to experience other cultures, and to share her culture with others. Jane never got that opportunity but if we can help give the chance to others, in Jane’s name, then we will be delighted.

And then there’s Jane’s story, and what we, her family experienced in the aftermath of her death. There was an outpouring of support from so many. But the overwhelming grief at Jane’s loss, and the traumatic circumstances of her death, was more than could be borne without the intervention of others. Things will never be the same for us as a family but they can get better, and if there is one message we want to push out there in making this journey, it’s the need for families of victims of traumatic death to be given continued support and counselling on their journey.

That is why we are so supportive of PETAL and the work that they do, and why we are so keen to support the BALLUCAN Art Project which through art provides therapy to children traumatised by the loss of a parent or sibling in traumatic circumstances.