£50,000 appeal to retain ‘Fred’ sculpture as permanent feature on resort seafront

Jakki Wilby, who has lived in the town for over 20 years, believes the figure, created by Durham artist Ray Lonsdale, could be Scarborough’s answer to the Angel of the North.

The foster carer is so adamant it should remain in the town, she has made it her mission to raise the money to buy the piece, called Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers, before it is removed on December 10. She has turned to social media to raise awareness of the campaign and has won the backing of the nephew of Freddie Gilroy, the retired miner on whom the statue is based. Mr Gilroy was one of the first soldiers to liberate the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany at the end of the war.

Mrs Wilby said: “It’s raised so much interest and people just seem to be really captivated by it, Whatever time of day it is there are always people there having a look at it, taking photos and reading the plaque.

“It looks fantastic where it is and I just really feel this is the type of thing Scarborough needs. It could be a real destination piece like the Angel of the North.”

Mr Gilroy’s nephew, Albert Brewster, who had no idea the sculpture existed until he saw it on a recent trip to the seaside resort, said keeping the statue in the town’s North Bay would be the perfect tribute to his beloved uncle, who died two years ago, aged 87.

“Jakki wants it for Scarborough and we do too. Instead of saying we are going to Scarborough we can say we are going to see Fred. There’s a warmth about it and it’s a lovely place for it to be,” said Mr Brewster, from Tadcaster. Mrs Wilby has set up a Facebook page, which asks people to upload photographs of them next to the sculpture. She also plans to set up a Twitter and Just Giving page to attract funding.

“I’m going to put a memory book in place, which will give people a chance to say what they think about it. I’ve also asked Ray Lonsdale if he will come through and chat to people. He’s a really nice man and he wants it to stay in Scarborough.

“By launching the campaign, if Scarborough Council aren’t willing to keep the piece then we have got hard evidence there’s a strong public opinion. I have a meeting with the council tomorrow.”