RAF Bomber Command Memorial to be completed in Summer 2012

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Final update on tickets for the Memorial Unveiling – click here

A Memorial in London’s Green Park to honour the 55,573 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives in World War II, is now under construction and is due to be completed in time for a Dedication and Unveiling on Thursday 28th June.

Due to the generosity of the general public and three major benefactors, sufficient funds have now been committed to the building project. However, further funds are still needed to provide an endowment to allow for the future maintenance of the Memorial. The RAF Benevolent Fund has agreed to manage this fund and eventually to take guardianship of the Memorial which they consider to be part of the RAF’s heritage.

Although donations to date are sufficient for the construction of the Memorial, and the government recently announced that it would assist our cashflow situation by refunding £1 million of VAT upfront, fundraising continues in earnest to raise money for the maintenance and upkeep of the Memorial. To donate click here. In addition to the tens of thousands of contributions received from members of the public, many honouring relatives who died whilst serving in Bomber Command, the total necessary to start building has been reached with generous donations from entrepreneurs John Caudwell, Lord Ashcroft and Richard Desmond. The amount raised so far has been reached thanks to tireless campaigning by the RAF Bomber Command Association Memorial Fundraising Committee, headed up by pop star Jim Dooley of The Dooleys, and former President of the Heritage Foundation, Bee Gee Robin Gibb.

Funds are also needed for the Dedication and Unveiling when veterans of World War Two are expected to travel from all over the UK and from overseas to honour their fallen comrades. For those interested in travelling to the event, please note that it will be a private ticketed event with priority being given to veterans of Bomber Command in World War Two and families of the 55,573.

The Daily Telegraph has supported the campaign from the beginning and has been invaluable in raising funds, as has The Daily Express which ran a campaign asking readers to help. But the support from the general public has been the most astounding, with cheques and donations arriving at the Bomber Command Association, many from pensioners or people on low incomes.

“The response to our Memorial Appeal has been tremendous, I would simply like to thank every one of you who has given so generously.”

This will be splendid news to the Members of the Bomber Command Association, and to the surviving friends and family of those who died. The campaign to raise the funds which continues today has been extraordinary and often moving, with donations from all walks of life and from around the world.

“It gives me great pleasure to know that everything we have been through for three years since we started this campaign for the Bomber Command Memorial is being rewarded.”

“There can be no greater message of reconciliation than this. Mine is but one among many voices, urging all those who value the freedoms we enjoy today to contribute whatever you feel you can towards the creation of this wonderful monument. And for those who have already supported the appeal it is not for me to say thank you, but I can only imagine the gratitude of the veterans of Bomber Command, their families and the Royal Air Force.”