A memorial in honour of the 122 haemophiliac boys treated at Treloar’s during the 1970s and 1980s was unveiled on Saturday.

The former pupils of the Holybourne-based school are now understood to have been victims of unethical research at an NHS clinic on the site as part of the infected blood scandal.

The Infected Blood Inquiry recommended permanent memorials be created to remember those who died or suffered as a result of the treatment disaster.

The Treloar’s memorial was organised by survivors Gary Webster, Steve Nicholls, Richard Warwick and Adrian Goodyear, who founded the Treloar’s Memorial Committee.

It was funded by the Cabinet Office, with a contribution from Candour Productions, whose ITV documentary The British Blood Scandal – Poisoned at School highlighted what happened at Treloar’s.

Haemophiliac boys were enrolled as boarders at the then Lord Mayor Treloar College so they could receive round-the-clock medical care alongside their education.

They were infected with HIV and hepatitis through contaminated blood-clotting products. At least 72 former Treloar’s pupils are known to have died as a result of the treatment they received, while survivors have suffered lifelong health consequences.

The Infected Blood Inquiry found the pupils became the subjects of clinical trials and research while health risks were ignored.

In May 2024, the current management of Treloar’s apologised to former pupils and their families following the inquiry’s criticisms of what had happened.

The bronze memorial, depicting two boys on a plinth, was created by sculptor Tom Murphy, who also sculpted The Hillsborough Monument Memorial in Liverpool. It took two years to make and has been installed at the entrance to Treloar’s.

It was unveiled by Infected Blood Inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff in front of 20 survivors, families of former pupils and others who supported their campaign for recognition and justice.

Gary Webster said: “This is an emotional day for those few of us left. We will be thinking of all former pupils and friends who didn’t make it to hear the outcome of the Infected Blood Inquiry and the way our experience has now been reappraised.

“This memorial will be a permanent reminder of the wrongs suffered at this school and what must never be allowed to happen again at a state institution that is entrusted with the care of children.”

Steve Nicholls added: “We are grateful to Tom Murphy for creating this fitting tribute and to all those who have helped to make today happen.”

Sir Brian said: “I am honoured to be here today to see one of the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry coming to fruition, to be with people whose stories I heard during the inquiry, and to remember all those who were impacted by treatment at Treloar’s.

“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.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said the memorial would ensure those who died were never forgotten, but warned the pursuit of justice was not over.

She said: “The fact that victims and families who have already suffered so much, for so many years, continue to have to fight for justice is simply unacceptable.”

Treloar’s chief executive Martin Ingram said: “We have been pleased to support our former students to deliver a public memorial dedicated to ensure that all those impacted at Treloar’s are remembered.

“The bronze sculpture provides a fitting and lasting tribute to the young people whose lives were so tragically impacted by infected blood products.”