Council boosts WW1 sculpture appeal call

ONE CHEQUE. Mayor Cllr Bill Kennedy, pictured on Monday evening presenting a cheque for the WW1 Sculpture Fund to Noel Anderson, Chairman of Ballymoney & District Cultuiral Heritage Society. Looking on are SocietyTreasurer Sammy McClements, RBL members Liam McCurdy and Uel Hargy (respective Secretary and Treasurer) and Corporate Services Officer Liz Johnston.INBM27-14 014SC.

A public appeal to raise funds for a £30,000 bronze sculpture of a WW1 Soldier at the Ballymoney Cenotaph has been launched by Ballymoney and District Cultural Heritage Society. The appeal is supported by Council and the Royal British Legion.

Mayor Bill Kennedy said: “Remembrance Day commemorations each year are always a special focus for communities as we remember the part played and the sacrifices made by ordinary men and women for their country and for the cause of world peace. Those citizens from Ballymoney who answered their country’s call and those gave their lives to preserve our way of life are remembered with honour and it is a fitting tribute that in this 100th anniversary year a memorial statue should be placed at Ballymoney War Memorial.

“The Society hope to have the total fund of £30,000 raised to have the sculpture in place for Remembrance Day this year. Council is pleased to give the fund a boost to get it going. It is also appropriate that the local community should have the opportunity to associate itself with the project and I would encourage local groups and individuals to support fundraising events and to make a donation”.

Meanwhile the first public fundraising event for the Sculpture was held in the Royal British Legion Club, on Friday evening.

A Night of the Races event was hosted by Nigel Kinnard and Samuel McClements, with some entertaining banter. The 10 races had been generously sponsored by 10 local firms and organizations, with the night concluding with a tension-packed and hotly contested auction race. As a result of the success of the event the WWI Sculpture Fund has been boosted by a donation £1750.

A delighted Sammy McClements, who organized the event, said: “This is a great response from the public. I would like to thank race sponsors, horse owners and all who came along to support us.”

The next opportunity to support the WW1 Sculpture Fund is at Street Collection in Ballymoney on Saturday 5th July. Other fundraising events and activities will be announced in due course. Any organization who wishes to make a donation to “WWI Sculpture Fund” can forward a contribution to the Fund c/o The Office of the Chief Executive at Council HQ, Riada House.