2 weeks Ago
A primary school has helped create a memorial garden in honour of the armed forces. Children from St Peter and St Paul's RC Primary School in Bolton have helped created it ahead of Remembrance Sunday. It includes a second Tommy statue from Leeds-based ACS Stainless Steel Fixings.
The steel soldier silhouettes were created by a team of welders at ACS as part of the organisation’s fourth annual Steel Silhouette Soldiers Remembrance Day campaign. The initiative raises funds for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) – the national charity of the British Army. ACS has already created more than 780 soldiers since 2021, each of them distributed in communities across the UK.
For the second year running, DX Group has supported the campaign by delivering soldiers across the country. Lesley Marsh, school business manager at St Peter and St Paul's RC Primary School, has supported the campaign through the school for the past two years, installing the ACS steel soldiers in a special memorial garden. She said: "I have a serving son, a serving nephew, my brother is a veteran, and my husband was a veteran too - I also have many friends whose sons and daughters are serving, so when I found out about ACS’s fabulous campaign, I wanted to be a part of the fundraising endeavour.
"I’ve donated two years on the run and decided to share the soldiers with all the children at school. "Both soldiers stand proudly in an area of our school grounds which we’ve turned into a Remembrance Garden . "The children were very excited to welcome this year’s addition, and it’s a wonderful way to share the history of our fallen heroes with them all.
"Last year's soldier has weathered beautifully, and we can't wait for this year's to take a similar vein. "We also have a 'Tommy' attached to the wall – it’s made out of wood and was created by our superstar of a site manager. "We’re very proud of our displays and will continue to support ACS’s fundraising endeavours in future years.
" The campaign is now in its fourth year and the 2024 initiative aims to raise more funds than ever via a new order system that invites donations in exchange for a free steel soldier. This year also saw the soldiers created in a brand-new design – with the new silhouette honouring those from ‘The Paras’ – Britain’s Elite Airborne Infantry. David Flannery, ACS’s managing director, said: "We’re thrilled the children at St Peter and St Paul's RC Primary School are so happy to welcome their second soldier ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
"This project is close to the hearts of all at ACS and it’s a joy to hear such lovely stories and how well received our soldiers are in communities across the UK whilst raising much-needed funds for the ABF. "Here’s to 2024’s efforts proving our best yet." Over the previous three years, apprentices in ACS’s Leeds-based factory created more than 630 soldier silhouettes, raising £7,700 for charity so far.
The total so far, including 2024’s donations, has already exceeded more than £13,000. Jim Duffy of the Army Benevolent Fund said: "This initiative is so important for the Army Benevolent Fund, which since 1944 has supported soldiers , former soldiers and their family’s facing hardship and need. "Last year we helped 75,000 people in the UK and 50 other countries around the world – so any support from partners really helps us out.
“As we mark our 80th anniversary this year, we would like to thank ACS, DX Group and everyone involved in this fantastic initiative – something which will help us support soldiers, both past and present.”.
