Huge fundraiser for ‘Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer’ sculpture
THE public has contributed £400,000 in just four weeks towards a huge piece of public art planned for the Midlands
A Crowdfunder aims to raise £1 million in just 40 days for the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, which will be built between the M6 and M42 motorways near Coleshill.
Once built, the project aims to generate over £30 million for charities and good works in its first 20 years.
The 169ft structure will include a million bricks, each representing an “answered prayer”.
Project founder Richard Gamble said: “The response has been amazing – a movement of people is being raised up across the UK.
“We have so many great stories – one church asked every member to bring their loose change and raised over £1,000, a local farmer is selling his eggs on the side of the road, and others have made contributions big and small.
“We now need the public to back us with another £600,000 and we can get to work. Our goal is to open the site fully in 2023.”
Mr Gamble added: “We’re not building this landmark to have something nice to look at, we’re building a community-focused structure that carries a legacy; generations in hundreds of years’ time will see it and be inspired. Individuals have the chance to be a part of a movement that is inspiring faith and hope in this nation.”
The Eternal Wall is twice the size of the Angel of the North, and is expected to attract 300,000 visitors each year, contributing £9.3 million to the local economy. Half a million cars are expected to drive past each day and it will be in view of planes landing into Birmingham Airport.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “It’s an incredibly ambitious, stunning project in terms of a real statement, a landmark for the Midlands. I think it’s an incredibly progressive, ambitious piece of architecture.”