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.
Due to the generosity of the general public and three major benefactors, sufficient funds have now been committed to allow building work to start. 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 total donations have nearly reached the target figure of £6 million, fundraising continues in earnest to raise money for the maintenance 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 President of the Heritage Foundation, Bee Gee Robin Gibb.
It is now expected that the Memorial will be dedicated in June 2012. 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.
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.