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The sculpture of “The Abandoned Soldier” has been created to honour those who have fought valiantly for our country, but are not being treated as the heroes they truly are. It was temporarily erected in Trafalgar Square on 20th January 2007 to draw the public’s attention and rally support for soldiers and veterans who have been forgotten, or have received little support, despite serving their country. The sculpture has become a rallying point for all those who have served in the Armed Forces and an Abandoned Soldier Fund has been set up to cast a bronze version, and to find it a meaningful home. The sculpture was modelled on Lance Corporal Daniel Twiddy, who was wounded in Basra by friendly fire in 2003 and sustained many injuries including facial wounds from shrapnel.
It is hoped we can raise enough money for a bronze version of The Abandoned Soldier and a place of public prominence in London can be found, so that the public are reminded of the soldiers that struggle to cope, once they return. It's a situation that undoubtedly touches us all, as we probably all know someone, or of someone, that has been, or could be, affected physically or emotionally by war, at some point in their lives. The statue has been created to commemorate all soldiers who put themselves in perilous situations for their country and it allows the public to show their gratitude for their bravery and selflessness.
Once The Abandoned Soldier Fund reaches its target figure of £75,000, plus VAT and installation costs, it will then be devoted solely, on a case-by-case basis, to providing grants to individual ex-Servicemen and women in need, in particular, for those who have chronic ailments, or who are living in poverty. All funds received and disbursed by The Abandoned Soldier Fund will be audited by an accountant and published in a timely manner on the Abandoned Soldier Website. To attain these objectives, we are in the process of establishing a supervisory committee composed of ex-Service and ex-MoD personnel to steer the project and also a sub-committee to handle the disbursement of funds to hardship cases.
'The willingness with which our young people serve in any war, no matter how justified, will be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation'.
George Washington

