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Sept 2024
Ripon's replica tank raises money for charity
Ripon's famous knitted tank has completed a summer fundraising tour that will benefit the charity Help for Heroes.
The life-size replica Churchill AVRE bunker buster, was created out of wool and wood by the non-stop knitters of Ripon Community Poppy Project and skilled wood workers at the city's Men's Shed.
It was made to feature in Ripon's D-Day 70th anniversary commemoration and celebration events this year, while acting as a reminder of the crucial role that the city's Royal Engineers played in the Normandy landings and the liberation of Europe.
Stuart Martin, who jointly founded Ripon Community Poppy Project with Hazel Barker, told the Stray Ferret:
From the forecourt at Ripon Cathedral, to Fountains Abbey, Newby Hall, Ripon Inn and Tate's Garden Centre, the tank has grabbed attention and attracted donations in a bucket that we left alongside it.
I'm pleassed to say that, perticularly with the help of the Tate family, we were able to reach our target of £1,000 for Help for Heroes.
The life-size replica tank was created through a huge community-wide effort
The charity supports members of the British Armed Forces community with their physical and mental health, while also providing financial and welfare assistance.
Volunteer Help for Heroes fundraiser Chris Hastings, who is a former soldier, collected the £1,000 cheque at Tate's Garden Centre on Friday. He said:
The money will be put to good use and we congratulate all of those from Ripon Community Poppy Project and Men's Shed for building the tank, which is absolueltly stunning and we thank them for their generous donation.
Representatives from both organisations who played a role in creating the tank were on hand to see the cheque presentation.
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