Kickstarted! The National WW1 Sikh Memorial

*** The National WW1 Sikh Memorial has now been funded!!! ***

Thank you to everyone who donated and supported the WW1 Sikh Memorial appeal on Kickstarter.

We have reached our budgeted goal of £20,000 plus a little extra ... which will mean we can:
1 - create a lasting national memorial
2 - create a souvenir publication for it
3 - put on a prestigious event for mainstream media coverage.

In doing all three of these we will ensure that there is:
1 - a permanent monument at the heart of remembrance in the UK to Sikhs
2 - inspiration for future generations to learn from and appreciate this sacrifice
3 - the story of the Sikh contribution becomes an international news event.

Our intention was to create a grassroot and youth-led movement in order to enact a memorial, not gifted by government or funded by a small circle BUT with mass involvement - on behalf of Sikhs and non-Sikhs - who feel proud of the heroic contribution made by the martial race.

This is why we turned to Kickstarter, feeling that the social media nature of the endeavour fitted with our target audience and with our aspiration to not just create a sculptor but a living heritage which is narrated and shared by all.

We have achieved that:
- with 153 people donating to the project
- with mainstream media coverage
- with tens of thousands of social media impressions

We believe in inspiring people to not just volunteer with heritage but to own a piece of THEIR heritage.

For far too long the British-Sikh heritage agenda has been driven by politically motivated organisations, run by an old guard of ego's who usurp ideas and funding without mass impact.

We have changed that and firmly put the power of heritage back into the hands of those passionate about leaving a lasting legacy.

We are not digging up the bones of old Maharaja's or taking credit for others work - but creating something new and unique....

In time we will continue our work to inspire more of you - by offering advice and insights in a unique article on how to run a successful grassroots Kickstarter campaign.  I'm hopeful this will see many many more ideas within the community come to fruition.

For now, I leave you some of the fantastic comments we have received.  We look forward to sharing the memorial's developments with you soon...

"I thing this memorial proposal is a really great idea and will be a good permanent reminder of the sikh contributions in the war."
B. Kaur

"Thank you for your sacrifices; projects such as this and the fine gentlemen of the 15th Ludhiana Sikhs Regiment serve to remind us that our great grandfathers fought and bested a common foe and helped put the Great in Britain.  In these times when immigration has become a dirty word, this is a timely reminder that the Sikh community earned its place in this country and make up a proud part of our heritage."
Wibble

"I feel deeply honoured and am proud ro be both british and sikh. These men fought for our freedom they are the reason why sikhs live in the united kingdom. We sikh s complain we never get recognition and are all classed as Asian this memorial will raise our status in the country and bridge the gap in our different identify into the minds of the uk mindset..."
J.S. Minhas

"Such a great project - I'm proud to support it and hope others will, too."
M. Wallace

"Thank you for making sure that the memory of all those who fought with such unparallelled gallantry and selfless courage will be preserved - and their sacrifice honoured with a beautiful and dignified memorial!"
P Hagglund


"As a ex-serviceman who got quite emotional about this subject in the past for there was no real recognition for the fallen .... at last we have succeeded for a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum may it be a fitting memorial to our warrior ancestors who came to foreign lands so far from home to fight for justice and equality against evil suppressors when they were called upon from Britain...."
G Singh