Green Park Bomber Command memorial target reached
- Published
The memorial is due to be finished by May 2012
Fundraisers have reached their £5.6m target to build a World War II memorial in a central London park.
Bee Gee Robin Gibb, who has spearheaded the three-year Bomber Command memorial campaign, said it was fantastic news.
Building work on the open-air pavilion in Green Park, which pays tribute to the 55,573 crew members who lost their lives, is expected to begin in May.
The memorial will be built from Portland stone and feature a bronze centrepiece of seven aircrew.
Bomber Command's role was to attack Germany's air bases, troops, shipping and industrial complexes connected to the war effort.
Maintenance costs
The Bomber Command Association and the Heritage Foundation have campaigned for three years to have a permanent memorial.
It is due to be completed by May 2012.
Mr Gibb said he was delighted that the target had been reached.
He said: "It's one of my greatest passions and one of the greatest achievements of my life.
"These very young, brave men sacrificed themselves so we are able to live in a free Europe and it is important that this was recognised."
Awarding-winning architect Liam O'Connor designed the building which will house the sculpture created by Philip Jackson.
Fundraisers need to raise a further £2m for maintenance of the memorial.