Military veterans march to fund £200,000 statue

Military veterans are lacing up their marching boots to raise £200,000 for a statue outside a city barracks.

The 12ft (3.65m) bronze sculpture of a paratrooper will be installed outside Merville Barracks in Colchester if they reach their funding target.

Maj Curt Vines, of the Parachute Regimental Association, said veterans taking on a 25-mile (40km) trek on Sunday would help fundraising efforts.

"This statue is going to really resonate with a lot of people," he told the BBC, saying it would celebrate 25 years of 16 Air Assault Brigade being based in the city.

The brigade is the British Army's global response force.

Maj Vines hoped to unveil the statue, which would consist of a 6ft (1.8m) plinth and a soldier of the same height, on 27 June 2026.

Veterans will carry backpacks of no less than 25lbs (11kg) during the fundraising march, which kicks off at 08:00 BST and is expected to take eight hours.

The route will take them past sites of military significance in Colchester, including Wivenhoe House - home to an SAS base in World War Two.

"We really want to expose and further inform the people of Colchester and wider UK about the impact of the garrison and its history," Maj Vines said.

"Over the last 25 years, we have had some amazing times but also some real down times as well and lost lots of loved ones.

"Once this statue is in place it really will be a fitting memorial and one we hope will resonate with younger people as well."

The statue has been designed by sculptor Amy Goodman and will be illuminated at night.

Maj Vines said its prominent location near Abbey Field would ensure it was a "beacon" for the community.

"Those lights will be spectacular," he added.

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