Launch of the Animals in War Memorial FundTop selling author Jilly Cooper hosted a star-studded reception to officially launch the Animals in War Memorial Fund, on February 15th 2001 at the London Hilton. Joined by other trustees of the fund such as Joanna Lumley and with the backing of well-known personalities such as Simon Weston and the Rt. Hon. Tony Banks MP, Jilly gave a vivid and moving description of why she believes in this project.
Corporate sponsor Petplan, the UK's largest animal insurance company, sponsored the reception as well as lending administrative support to the Fund. In addition to the long list of celebrity names backing the project, it was also announced that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal had graciously agreed to be Patron of the fund and The Duke of Wellington as Vice Patron.
Simon Weston, Veteran of the Falklands War, marked the beginning of fundraising in earnest when he presented a cheque for £10,000 on behalf of the Sport of Racing Pigeons to Jilly, vice Chairman of the Fund. Two cheques for £5,000 were also presented by Andrew Dickson on behalf of the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the Humane Society.
A model of the memorial was unveiled on the night by sculptor David Backhouse. Details of all future fundraising events will be posted on this area of the web site
