Former Mayor of Newark recognised after raising over £11,000 for major ‘On Freedom’s Wings’ landmark Lancaster Bomber project on Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire border by The Bomber County Gateway Trust
A dedicated fundraiser has been recognised for his efforts in raising over £11,000 for a major monument which will be built on our doorstep.
Since last summer Laurence Goff has has been out and about raising money by himself for the ‘On Freedom’s Wings’ project, which will see a full-scale sculpture of a Lancaster Bomber built near Norton Disney and visible from the A46.
The landmark project — billed as the Midlands’ answer to the Angel of the North — is intended to mark the historic link that Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire shared with RAF Bomber Command during the second world war.
In recognition of his monumental individual fundraising efforts, the Bomber County Gateway Trust, which is the group behind the project, presented Laurence with a special limited edition framed print.
Trust chairman, Ken Sadler, said: “It’s the goodwill of people like Laurence dedicating time and effort into fundraising that makes the difference.
“We never asked him, he just took it upon himself because of his love of the county and he’s raised a approaching £12,000 all on his own.
“Fundraising is often a thankless task, which is why we wanted to thank him today.”
The steel for the construction of the sculpture, which will be lifted 30ft into the air, doesn’t come cheap and it is estimated a further £70,000 is needed to complete the project.
The former mayor of Newark decided to start collecting for the cause after finding speaking with The Bomber County Gateway Trust at an event last May and has since raised over £11,000.
His ultimate goal is to reach £15,000 and although most of what he has raised so far has come from months of hard work, collecting with a bucket in Newark Market Place come rain or shine, later this year he will take part in a sponsored skydive which he hopes will help him reach his target.
After receiving the print Laurence said: “I wasn’t expecting this at all.
“I first heard about the project years ago in the Advertiser and I felt it had been dragging on for so long with delays because of covid and rising costs that I better do something.
“Johnny Johnson — known as the last Dambuster — is unfortunately gone now, but he was such a local hero and he was so passionate about this.”
In recognition of his efforts Laurence has also been nominated for the Outstanding Commitment Award at the 2024 JustGiving Awards.