Campaign to bring statue home

Richard Cutcher • Published 27 Jan 2012 17:00

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A CAMPAIGN to raise £7,000 to replace a stolen statue in memory of four boys was given a kick-start today (Friday).

The Companions Statue, which depicted a boy and a dog, to commemorate the life of Andrew Watts, Lee Powell, Daniel Howton and Michael Taylor who tragically died on a school skiing trip in 1988, was heartlessly stolen and cut to pieces in October last year.

The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Cllr Asghar Majeed, joined the headmistress of Altwood School, Kathleen Higgins, and the original sculptor, Eunice Goodman, at the plinth on Ray Mill Island, at Boulters Lock, to officially launch the drive for funds.

A joint statement from the parents said: "We would like to thank the Maidenhead community, the school and people who have got in contact from all over the world.

"We just all want to see the statue returned to it's rightful place."

The Altwood Church of England School, where the boys were former pupils, have a host of activities planned including the school caretaker, Terry Freshwater, pledging to shave off his moustache in return for donations.

Ms Higgins said: "He has grown quite attached to it so it will be quite an achievement and should raise quite a bit of money.

"It is a collective effort and we wanted to help in any way we could. The positive to come out of it is the opportunity to show how communities can come together."

Mayor of the Royal Borough, Cllr Asghar Majeed, said: "We want the parents that have lost their children to know we are with them in their sorrow. The best way we can contribute is to help get them their statue back as soon as possible. We want to let them know that we are totally behind them and supportive."

People wishing to donate to the cause can send a cheque to Altwood Church of England School, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PU, made payable to the Altwood School Fund. Donations should be marked 'Memorial Fund' on the envelope or back of the cheque.

Alternatively, people can donate online via the Royal Borough website www.rbwm.gov.uk

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 27 Jan 12

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