A war memorial featuring hundreds of poppies knitted by volunteers is set to be unveiled in Wigan
A display of knitted poppies, which honours war heroes, will be unveiled this weekend.
A special tribute to war heroes is set to be unveiled this weekend - thanks to the hard work of Wigan’s knitters.
Debbie Cason, club treasurer at Garswood Hall Bowling and Community Club, decided to make a commemorative display entirely of knitted poppies.
And she was overwhelmed by the response after appealing on social media eight weeks ago for people to get involved.
Debbie said: “I put an advert out on social media from the club asking for local volunteers - knitters - to start knitting poppies. We had a fantastic response.
“We now have a knit and natter group called The Crafty Corner and we have hundreds of poppies. The display has got bigger and bigger.”
The poppies will be used to create a display in the club’s car park on Saturday, alongside a Tommy soldier statue.
Debbie said: “I don’ think it’s something people have seen before in the area.”
It will then be officially unveiled at 1pm on Sunday at a special event, to which volunteers, veterans, councillors and even Makerfield MP and prime minister Andy Burnham have been invited.
Debbie said: “We have got some local volunteers coming and we have put a request out for more local veterans to come and help us unveil it. I’m hoping our local councillors will be able to attend too.
“We are going to unveil it and invite everyone in for food and refreshments. Hopefully it’s an afternoon for people to chat about what they have done and what it means.”
Money raised through the display and associated fund-raising activities will be given to Wigan Veterans Association.