A raffle of a miniature version of the full size statue of Swanage World War Two hero Trevor Chadwick, has raised more than £3,000 and the winner says she’s going to share her prize with the people of Swanage.
The Trevor Chadwick Memorial Trust is fundraising to erect a statue to remember the Swanage school teacher who saved the lives of children. Trevor Chadwick rescued children from Prague in early 1939 from German occupation.
Trevor Chadwick’s cousin Annie Bridges (centre) picked the ticket, watched on by Swanage Mayor, Avril Harris (left) and trustee Mike Bonfield
Lucky winner was a Swanage resident
At the prize draw ceremony at the Show Bar in The Mowlem on Tuesday 9th November 2021, the winning ticket was drawn by Trevor’s cousin Annie Bridges and the lucky winner was Swanage resident, Lyn Coleman.
Lyn was at home at the time but when the chair of the trust John Corben phoned her, she quickly made her way to The Mowlem to collect her prize.
The lucky ticket holder, Lyn Coleman
“I’d like it to go on display in Swanage“
As she accepted the Trevor Chadwick maquette, a scaled down version of the statue planned for Swanage’s Recreation Ground, Lyn said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to be the winner and as lovely as it would be to have this in my home, I’d be even more delighted to share it with the people of Swanage. I’d like it to go on display in Swanage, so everyone can see it.”
Lynn, who is a founder member of the new Swanage WI, added:
“This is so strange, as I actually saw the statue in the window of a shop in Station Road today and stopped to admire it – I’m absolutely stunned to have won it!”
The draw took place at the Show Bar in The Mowlem
“We’re tremendously pleased“
John Corben said:
“We’re tremendously pleased that the raffle has been such a success, raising more than £3,000 towards the cost of creating a memorial in Swanage to Trevor Chadwick – a true hero. I’d like to thank everyone who bought a raffle ticket.
“I’d also like to thank Lyn for such a wonderful gesture by donating the Trevor Chadwick maquette to the community.”
Left to right: Swanage Mayor Avril Harris, Annie Bridges, Lyn Coleman and chair of the trustees John Corben
Night of the Broken Glass
9th November was chosen for the draw, as it was the date of Kristallnact or the Night of the Broken Glass when in November 1938, the Nazis destroyed Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues, leaving glass littering the streets in Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia.
This prompted families, fearing for the safety of their children, to seek means of escape and Kindertransport or transport for children was set up to get them to safe havens.
Rescuing 669 children from Prague
Trevor Chadwick was responsible for rescuing 669 children from Prague from January to June 1939, often putting his own life in danger. The majority were Jewish but others were the sons or daughters of Czech and Slovak anti-Nazis.
The statue of Trevor Chadwick with two children is currently being created by sculptor Moira Purver. It’s planned to position it in Swanage on the Recreation Ground near the bandstand and next to the children’s Chadwick Playground.
While fundraising is going well, the trust is still seeking to raise about £25,000.
Winner Lyn Coleman and sculptor Moira Purver with the Trevor Chadwick marquette
Further information
More about Trevor Chadwick’s story and ways to donate towards the statue are on the Trevor Chadwick Memorial Trust website
