Handforth Parish Council has pledged £10,000 towards the purchase cost of a War Memorial to be located on the corner of Grange Way and Wilmslow Road.
The intention is to raise £50,000 to fund the memorial by November 11th 2015 and Handforth Parish Councillor, Anthony Harrison, has proposed to take on the project as a charitable trust to which the council has agreed.
The trust will have responsibility for fundraising, design, public consultation, installation and post installation care and maintenance.
Cllr Anthony Harrison, who has been leading on this project, explained "I proposed to my fellow councillors on Handforth Parish Council that I would like to continue my work on this project by forming an external community lead foundation so that the designs and the campaign strategy could involve all of the members of the community.
"Following the news that all members of Handforth Parish Council have accepted my proposal last Monday a constitution has been agreed, trustees have been proposed, a bank account has been formed and we are holding our first trustees meeting in the early half of this week.
"The foundation has been set up under the name 'Handforth Community War Memorial Fund' and we hope to raise upwards of £50,000 to help plan, raise awareness and construct a memorial that the village can be proud of. We hope to officially launch the fundraising campaign by mid December. We will be working with the local churches, schools and residents associations to help communicate by all means to members of the Handforth community and deliver several designs for residents to choose from or submit comments on before we construct a final proposal for construction.
"Many community groups and businesses have already come forward who wish to donate or raise funds for the project with 23 Wilmslow ACF Detachment already raising over £32 from a cadet lead bake sale. We hope to work with all to produce something that will not only ignite the passion of residents throughout the project management phase but long after the memorial is completed.
"Handforth is a truly united community and I look forward to leading this community lead foundation over the years to come."
Brian Tolver, Chairman of Handforth Parish Council, added "Handforth Parish Council welcomes and supports this initiative. It is fitting that the Memorial should be a matter for the public of Handforth and cared for by a trust accountable to them.Councillor Anthony Harrison, on behalf of the trust, has agreed to provide regular reports to the council on the progress of the project."
If anyone would like to support this project, whether it be by donating to the fund or by offering their expertise or opinion contact email Anthony Harrison, Chairman of Handforth Community War Memorial Fund, for further information.
Photo: Councillor Anthony Harrison.
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