A project to construct and house a First World War memorial in Somerset has received a boost from a local housing developer.
Persimmon Homes South West provided a £1,000 donation to the Somerset Wood Joint Committee.
This includes representatives from West Monkton and Cheddon Fitzpatrick Parish Councils and volunteers.
It comes after the committee applied to Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme.
The Poppy of Honour structure, awarded National Memorial Status as it honours British and Commonwealth service members listed as killed or missing in World War One, will make its permanent home in Somerset Wood.
The memorial has visited 19 towns throughout Britain and will be housed in an open pavilion accompanied by informative display boards.
Somerset Wood is located in Taunton’s Maidenbrook Country Park and memorialises World War One’s fallen service personnel from Somerset.
The memorial woodland will host one tree for each of the 11,281 deceased personnel, and features a dedicated stone carving at its entrance.
Persimmon Homes South West sales director, Stacey Harris, said: "Persimmon is proud to support this really exciting project to bring the Poppy of Honour permanently to Somerset Wood.
"I am sure current and future residents at our development at Hartnells Farm will be delighted with news that such a significantly meaningful memorial will be coming to the area, and will prove regular visitors."
Chair of West Monkton Parish Council, Stuart Haskins, spoke of the collaborative fundraising needed to accomplish the project.
He shared his gratitude towards Persimmon Homes South West, saying: "Every member of the Somerset Wood Joint Committee is driven by a sense of pride in both place and country, so we are well motivated to deliver on the ambition of hosting the brilliant Poppy Memorial here.
"We are all looking forward to getting through the funding stages and breaking ground on this fantastic initiative."
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