With a little over a month to go before Remembrance Sunday, Lancashire’s High Sheriff, Tony Attard OBE DL, has called for businesses, groups and institutions across Lancashire, to make one last push to support the national ‘There But Not There’ campaign created to commemorate those lost in the First World War which ended a hundred years ago, at 11am on 11th November 1918.
As well as marking this historic event, the campaign aims to raise more than £15 million for armed forces and mental health charities through the sale of specially created ‘There But Not There’ silhouette statues, known as ‘Tommies’. These thought-provoking commemorative artworks are still available to purchase from therebutnotthere.org.uk making a significant contribution to the £15 million target.
Lancashire was the very first county partner to support the campaign and ‘Tommies’ have already been installed at Blackburn Cathedral, Lancaster Castle, Preston Station, St Peter’s Church Stonyhurst, Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Burnley Town Hall, St Chad’s Poulton, Great Mitton Hall and the Accrington Pals chapel in Accrington. Places of worship across the county have also been installing the silhouettes, and even more are expected to be in situ by the end of the month in readiness for the national centenary commemorations.
“There’s still time to get involved” urges the High Sheriff “This centenary is such a landmark event for the country, for those who have been and continue to be affected by conflict across the world. We cannot and will not forget those that gave their lives to protect this country and I know the people of Lancashire feel that very strongly.”
“The county is preparing in many different ways to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, with events taking place in churches, schools, museums and at war memorials across Lancashire. The ‘There But Not There’ Tommies were created to act as reminders in every day locations, in our workplaces and places of worship that someone has been missing from our lives, because of their great sacrifice.”
“Please help young and old remember by finding a place for one of these poignant reminders in your part of Lancashire.”
