A PROJECT to raise £50,000 for a new war memorial in Ramsbottom is over half way towards its target after a remarkable year of fundraising.

The Ramsbottom War Memorial Project is working towards building a new memorial in the Memorial Gardens in the town which will be engraved with the names of all the people in the town who served in both World Wars.

At this stage last year, the group had raised just £9,000 and one year later they are over half way towards their target, having raised £26,000.

Martin Wiggam, lead co-ordinator for the project, said: “We are really proud of how much money we have raised this year.

“Our financial year runs from October to October so to have raised £17,000 in one year is fantastic.

“The whole Ramsbottom community is really behind this project, the target of £50,000 is what keeps us going.

“Getting the names engraved is the right thing to do and has the backing of the people of Ramsbottom, the council and the Church of England who own the site.”

This year’s fundraising has seen a cycleathon, various charity concerts and resident Carolyn Storey run the London marathon.

Mr Wiggam hopes that next year will be the best ever, getting them closer to their target.

He said: “We have to crack on and keep going and hopefully we will get there soon. We have not had any lottery funding so when we get to our target it will be because of the kind donations of the local people.

“It will be their war memorial.”

The group is currently looking for volunteers who can give any amount of time.

Mr Wiggam said: “The more volunteers we have means the the more time we can spend getting the word out and fundraising and hopefully get to our target faster.”

The memorial will have the names of the 500 people from Ramsbottom and the surrounding districts who served in the two World Wars and other conflicts.

Their next fundraising event is being held at Ramsbottom Royal British Legion Club and is a singalong.

Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £2.

Tickets can be purchased on the group’s website or through Mr Wiggam who will be outside Morrisons in Ramsbottom selling poppies every Saturday and Sunday until November 13.

To find out more information about the project visit www.ramsbottomwarmemorialproject.co.uk