THE Edgar Evans Statue Appeal Fund has been officially launched in his home city.
The fearless explorer, who perished on the frozen wastes of the Antarctic alongside Captain Scott in 1912 after weeks of battling injury, illness and sub-zero temperatures never shied away from challenges, and neither does his grandson.
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John Evans, is leading the race to raise £90,000 for the tribute to his Rhossili-born grandfather, which he aims to win in time to see the statue erected on the green outside Swansea Museum within a year.
The fund also hopes to establish an Edgar Evans education programme for local schools. Mr Evans said “A statue of Edgar Evans is long overdue, we all know that. If we work together I am confident that our generation will be the one which properly commemorates Petty officer Edgar Evans for Wales, with a monument that is literally worthy of his stature.
“Let us not forget that this son of Gower was one of the first men in history to reach the South Pole, a feat akin to landing on the moon today.
“He lived a hero and he died a hero. It is time to bring Edgar Evans back home to Swansea in the form of a substantial national monument.”
So far the campaign has won the backing of Swansea Council and the British Antarctic Heritage Trust which has donated £10,000 towards the cost.
Renowned Welsh sculptor Roger Andrews, who is responsible for the statues to Sir Tasker Watkins, outside the Millennium Stadium, and Cardiff City’s 1927 FA Cup winning skipper Fred Keenor, has already produced a scale model.
He said: “Edgar Evans is a forgotten Welsh hero. I tried to combine the accuracy of detail of his clothes with his face, looks and the character of the man.
“I want people to see a very brave, determined man, with steel in his eyes and at the same time, humour.”
To donate to the fund please send cheques, made payable to PO Edgar Evans Statue Appeal, to Swansea Building Society, 11-12 Cradock Street, Swansea SA1 3EW.
Click here to Book Accommodation in Cradock, Graaf Reinett, Hofmeyer or surrounds.
Article source: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/pound-90-000-target-tribute-Antarctic-hero/story-17401971-detail/story.html