Bid for your own “Tommy” silhouette and raise money for armed forces veterans
In a project run by Havering Bereavement Service, young people across the borough have demonstrated their creativity in a touching tribute to the servicemen and women of World War One.
As part of the There But Not There campaign, marking the centenary of the end of WW1 this year, communities across the country have been hosting silhouettes of servicemen.
In an innovative approach sponsored by Everyone Active, the borough’s bereavement Services asked schools and youth organisations to produce their own versions of the “Tommy” silhouettes.
Havering Council cabinet member Councillor Viddy Persaud, Councillor Dilip Patel, Mayor of Havering, Cllr Denis O’Flynn, Member Champion for Armed Forces and Roger Walsh, a Royal Artillery veteran, judged the designs.
The chosen winners were Daniel Azeez, Toby Clarke and Samuel Chima, from Immanuel School in Romford.
The trio received a one-month fitness pass to use at Sapphire Ice and Leisure, Romford. All runners-up were presented with a one-day pass to use at the facility.
Residents and businesses can now bid for their favourite silhouette by visiting www.havering.gov.uk/remembrance2018
The auction will run until Friday 30 November.
Money raised will go to the charities supported by the national campaign and will help heal those suffering from the hidden wounds of war: The Royal Foundation; Walking with the Wounded; Help for Heroes; Combat Stress; Project Equinox and The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.
Councillor Viddy Persaud, said: “The standard of the designs was fantastic. We were all very impressed with the work and effort that had been put in. We clearly have very creative young people in our borough.
“It was very hard to pick a winner as they were all wonderful. Congratulations to not only the winners from Immanuel School, but all who took part.
“We were pleased to contribute to the national commemorations of the end of WW1 by inviting our young people to make their own personal mark and we hope now, that residents and businesses will help us raise money for the charities involved by bidding for the silhouettes.”