Help us keep the famous Dam Buster medals in the Waikato

on 24 Mar 2015

Andrea asks

Hi, What is going to happen to donations made here now that someone has donated the $150k?

Waikato Museum - Tompkins Wake

Hi Andrea, as this was a project (with a target amount) people only made pledges, not actual donations. Great outcome that the memorial received such a great boost and that Les' medals were able to stay in NZ.

on 9 Mar 2015

Jenny asks

Maybe those who have made a pledge will be directed to Stuart Davison ' s page to donate should the $200,000 target not be reached as it would be a shame for those of you who have pledged to not contribute.

This question has not been answered yet.

on 7 Mar 2015

Scott asks

Hi. Have you considered talking to / amalgamating with Stuart Davison's give-a-little site with the same goal?

It can be located at this web address: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/savelesmunromedals

I just donated $50 to this site as it popped up / was ranked first in Google and because Les is a personal friend.

What we are likely to have here are two separate sites competing with one another, meaning that the Bomber Command Memorial would receive great donations but neither page will raise enough to buy the medals back for Les / retain them in NZ.

My email is write_eo@xtra.co.nz. Thanks heaps! Scott McJorrow

Waikato Museum - Tompkins Wake

Thanks for your question Scott. It all happened so fast and no-one had the time to understand what other efforts were being made behind the scenes. For example,I was contacted by the CEO of Motat on Saturday night saying his efforts would be publicised in the Sunday Herald yesterday on behalf of Motat and three other museums. Waiouru is not a bidder, nor is Te Papa. We started our campaign on behalf of the Waikato Museum, owned by the Hamilton City Council, the day after the announcement. We have since approached all nine local authorities in the Waikato region to have the medals purchased for the Waikato Museum. The link is that Les farmed in Te Kuiti and was Mayor of Waitomo as you will know. We have also approached some of our local philanthropists and all of the regional trusts. The Give a Little is just one part of a four part strategy to bring the medals home to the region and we can’t change our campaign now. Sorry. The real challenge is that wealthy British collectors will be all over this auction and that will be good new for Les’ wish to financially support the Bomber Command Memorial in London (what a wonderful gift ). I’m thinking that it is going to take more than $200,000 to bring them home and this may well mean the medals never come home. Best wishes, Gordon Chesterman, deputy Mayor, telephone 021 922927.