Over four hundred and fifty donations have come in so far, many of them mentioning a fallen relative. All are being carefully recorded, and a record of all donations will be retained at the Centre. The total raised so far is over 250,000 - this means we have nearly 150,000 to go , but fear that the last lap is always the most difficult. We are most grateful for this support. We would welcome the names of any Companies or Charitable Trusts that you believe might be interested.
All ideas are welcome.
A Gift Aid form is attached at the end of this newsletter. As it is anticipated that the Centre will play host to a large number of visitors a year it is essential to give thought to what goes on within the building and the surrounding area. The D partement of the Somme are working on this and we are grateful to the National Trust, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Imperial War Museum who are giving us the benefit of their advice, based upon their considerable experience. As you approach Thiepval along the D73 the towering shape of Lutyens's finest memorial is visible from afar, riding the horizon and brooding over the landscape of the Somme. It carries the names of 72,085 soldiers missing on the Somme.