Ex-Services Association Boost Pals Appeal

Chorley and District Ex-Services Association have boosted the Chorley Pals Memorial appeal by making a £250 donation.

Steve Williams (centre) receives the cheque from Association Chairman, Cllr. Eric Bell watched (left to right) by Stan Dickinson (Association Secretary), John Garwood (Chorley Pals Trustee) and Laurence Perry (Association Treasurer).

Steve Williams (centre) receives the cheque from Association Chairman, Cllr. Eric Bell watched (left to right) by Stan Dickinson (Association Secretary), John Garwood (Chorley Pals Trustee) and Laurence Perry (Association Treasurer).

The cheque was handed over to Pals Trustees, co-founder Steve Williams and Adlington based author, John Garwood at the Association’s monthly meeting held at the end of March in Devonshire Road Barracks in the town.

During the meeting, Steve Williams gave an illustrated talk to members about the Pals, and detailed the progress of the appeal. He said “We are well advanced with the statue and plinth but need to raise some additional funds to ensure that all the names of the original Pals are inscribed on the plinth. As soon as we approached the Ex-Services Association, they were forthcoming with a donation and, like us, are looking forward to the statue being unveiled in Chorley later this year”.

This is the second donation in as many weeks for the appeal, with local house builders, Wainhomes, making a donation of £500 towards the names on the plinth.

An announcement on where the statue is to be sited is due after Easter, following meetings arranged by Pals Trustees with Chorley Council and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Chairman, Lindsay Hoyle MP, said “We would like to thank the Ex-Services Association for their support and look forward to them joining us at the unveiling”.

Donations to the appeal can be made at any branch of Chorley Building Society or to Lindsay Hoyle’s constituency office at 35 – 39 Market Street in Chorley.