NEW NATIONAL MONUMENT TO HONOUR OUR HEROES
Prince William backs memorial for 999 workers who have ‘made the ultimate sacrifice’ and died in the line of duty
PRINCE WILLIAM and the Prime Minister today back a campaign for a national monument honouring the sacrifice of brave 999 workers.
The £3.2million memorial – to be unveiled by the Queen – is a fitting tribute to the health workers who have died fighting coronavirus.
A FITTING monument will honour emergency service workers killed in the line of duty – including Britain’s coronavirus heroes.
The Daily Express has been given exclusive access to the model, which now includes an NHS figure wearing scrubs to honour fallen healthcare staff.
As proud official newspaper partner of the memorial, we are appealing to the public to show their gratitude to all those who have put on a uniform and served.
We need our army of readers to get behind the fundraising drive to make it happen.
The five-sided bronze edifice, which will stand 20ft high, is designed by Philip Jackson, who was behind the extraordinary Bomber Command memorial in London’s Green Park.
That too was backed by this newspaper and you. Together we donated £2million towards the cost.
Philip said of his new work: “This is perhaps one of my most important pieces of work because the emergency services will have resonance with everyone.
“We take them all for granted but they are all just a phone call away and we undoubtedly sleep safer at night because of them all.”
Serving Met Police Special Sergeant Thomas Scholes-Fogg founded the charity to make the National Emergency Services Memorial a reality. He said: “It will be a national symbol of gratitude, sacrifice and remembrance.”
Political leaders, royalty and celebrities lined up to pledge their support.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose life was saved by hospital staff after he contracted Covid-19, said: “It takes a very special kind of person to put your life on the line for a complete stranger.
“You are heroes of British life. If we dial 999, we know you will be there for us.”
Prince William, a former Air Ambulance pilot, said: “We owe our well-being, and indeed our lives, to our emergency services who work tirelessly to protect us.
“It is only fitting we recognise the vital role they play.”
The monument – redesigned this month in honour of the crucial role healthcare workers have played during the pandemic – will be positioned in central London at a site to be decided on.
It features six 8ft figures representing each of the emergency services and dressed in the uniforms they would wear when responding to 999 calls. They are a male police officer, a male firefighter, a female paramedic to represent the ambulance service and other healthcare agencies and a female doctor to represent the NHS.
There is also a male maritime worker from HM Coastguard and Lifeboat Services and a male search-and-rescue volunteer.
The memorial is finished with a spaniel to represent search-and-rescue dogs and all other animals supporting the emergency services.
The tribute has received the blessing of Arlene Foster, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, and Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales.
The symbol of remembrance is also supported by all living former prime ministers. Although there are dozens of individual memorials across the country – including the fire memorial, ambulance memorial and the national police memorial – this will be only one recognising all emergency workers.
The inspiration was provided by Sgt Scholes-Fogg’s grandfather John, a retired Greater Manchester Police Sergeant who served alongside slain PC Alison Armitage.
She was run over and killed aged just 29 by a career criminal driving a stolen car in Oldham.
Thomas Whaley, 38, was later jailed for eight years for Alison’s manslaughter but served just five years. He claimed he had not seen the young officer, despite driving backwards and forwards over her body on March 5, 2001.
John, 72, said: “I am very proud my grandson has created this important charity and is working hard to ensure we, as a country, honour those who have given their lives in service of others.
“It is hard to imagine that this started from a conversation we had on a walk almost 20 years ago.
“It is our duty to ensure we recognise the work and respect the sacrifices that have and continue to be made on our behalf. I hope everyone supports this very worthy cause and campaign.”