davieG Posted 11 November 2016 Posted 11 November 2016 This is the £180,000 memorial to Leicester Tigers war dead that volunteers hope to build outside Welford Road. They are looking to raise the money to create the 25-foot tribute to links between the rugby club and soldiers of the former Royal Leicestershire Regiment. It is part of a wider £250,000 ambitious heritage project launching this weekend to honour Leicester Tigers rugby players who laid down their lives for king and country in the two world wars. Volunteers with the Leicester Tigers Foundation - the club's charitable arm - are now calling on fellow fans across the city and county to get involved in a Monument Fundraising Campaign remembering the fallen. The plan is to raise the money to erect a giant sculpture commemorating the close links between the Tigers and their namesakes – the soldiers of the former Royal Leicestershire Regiment. image: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276308/binaries/LECG20161110B-001_C.jpg The scale model of the sculpture of the tigers The 25-foot tall structure has been designed by lifelong Tigers fan and museum installations designer Harvey Gardiner, 52, of Kibworth. "The Tigers are named after the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, with the links between the two organisations being evident throughout the 136 years of the club's existence," said the 52-year-old. "November 11 – Armistice Day – 2018, will mark 100 years since the end of the First World War. "So to recognise these links, we would like to erect a monument outside the main stand at the Welford Road Stadium in time for the anniversary." Mr Gardiner is part of a seven-strong 'Time Team' – including ex-England and Tigers star and former club chief executive, Peter Wheeler – set up to develop the and heritage project. The monument will be named "Come on the Tigers" a popular rallying cry for the rugby team that originated as the Royal Leicestershire Regiment's battle cry. It was made famous by Lieutenant Colonel Philip Bent, who was killed in Polygon Wood in 1917 while leading a charge inspired by his call of "Come on the Tigers!". He was later awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions. Chris Gordon image: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276308/binaries/LECG20161110B-003_C.jpg Tigers head of communications Gary Sherrard, Chris Rose of Leicester Tigers Foundation, designer Harvey Gardiner, Scott Clarke of Leicester Tigers Foundation The design features two bronze Hindustan tigers set onto an Art Deco Corten steel base, symbolic of the period between the two wars. Mr Gardiner said the aim is for it to act as a gateway arch to the main stand at Welford Road. image: http://tag-dyn.omnitagjs.com/fo-dyn/native/preview/image?key=21027b82f88b26fe2cb97327e4eb56c0&ztop=0.05755087142987499&zleft=0.16775689677073377&zwidth=0.5638039600701581&zheight=0.9038921139203069&width=80&height=80&kind=INTERNAL image: http://fo-static.omnitagjs.com/fo-static/native/images/info-ayl.png He said: "One tiger will represent the regiment and one tiger the club – emphasising the bond between both organisations." A 1.7 scale bronze marquette of the monument will be on show in the ground's Final Whistle Bar on Saturday, for the visit of Newport Gwent Dragons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. That is this year's Remembrance fixture for the Tigers, where supporters can learn more about the project. The game kicks-off at 3pm. Specifically remembered on the monument will be the 46 members of the regiment who played for the Tigers and lost their lives in the world wars. Mr Gardiner said the "Come on the Tigers" monument will also link in with a new website supporting the project. He said: "We want to develop an online resource and Tigers archive that will be a living and evolving cornerstone of the Foundation's work and objectives. "The monument website will not only profile the men who lost their lives and explain who they were and what they achieved, but will also recognise those whose lives have been affected by injury in both conflict and rugby right up to the present day, whilst raising awareness and encouraging participation in disability sport. "Our plan is for the monument will not only act as an iconic symbol of respect for the past but also and a source of inspiration to future generations." To help raise money for the project, organisers are giving supporters the chance to get involved by purchasing one of 2,000 bronze Tigers Foundation Crown coins. http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276308/binaries/Tigers crown back.jpg image: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276308/binaries/Tigers crown back.jpg The Tigers Foundation Crown For a donation of £110, fans will receive a limited edition numbered crown. They will also have their name laser cut into the steelwork at the base of the monument and earn them an invitation to the launch event at Welford Road in November 2018. Captain Bob Allen, chairman of the Royal Tigers' Regimental Association, said: "The Royal Leicestershire Regiment is very proud of its links with Leicester Tigers and its role in the foundation and naming of this now illustrious club. "The trustees, and all members of the regiment, are very pleased that the club is planning to recognise the links between our two great organisations by creating this monument, which will honour with pride those men from both the rugby club and regiment who have fought and died in service. He added: "We are happy to offer our wholehearted support to the project, and look forward to working even more closely with Leicester Tigers in the future." The Leicester Tigers foundation delivers over 1,000000 coaching hours into the community each year with the aim of using the power of sport, rugby and heritage to educate, motivate and inspire a positive future for all. To buy your Tigers Foundation Crown coin in support of the "Come on the Tigers" project, call the ticket office on 0116 319 8888 or visit: www.leicestertigers.com/heritage Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/rallying-call-for-come-on-the-tigers-monument-appeal/story-29885207-detail/story.html#BIhQucGwJb7vS2Oi.99
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