A FUNDRAISING appeal to create a permanent memorial in honour of a decorated Second World War RAF hero has raised more than £70,000.
Gravesham Council hopes to raise £100,000 through public subscription to install a specially commissioned statue of Squadron Leader Mahinder Singh Pujji in Gravesend town centre.
More than £70,000 was pledged at the launch of the £100,000 Pujji Memorial Appeal at the Woodville Halls in Windmill Street on April 16.
Leader of the council, Councillor John Burden said “The memorial will honour those who fought alongside our armed forces since the First World War in the struggle for democracy.”
Mayor of Gravesham Councillor Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi added the appeal was driven by the community and that Sqn Ldr Pujji was an important figure to all the communities of Gravesham.
This included the ethnic community, the Sikh community and the wider Gravesham community.
After the launch, cheques and cash amounting to more than £70,000 were donated – just £30,000 short of the target needed to commission the memorial.
The memorial is proposed to be installed on a site at the junction of Pelham Road and Darnley Road.
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