D-Day Story museum gains £200k cash windfall

SOUTHSEA'S D-Day Story museum has received a fresh windfall of £200,000 to help with its future funding.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Aug 2018, 17:41 BST
Updated 3rd Sep 2018, 12:13 BST
D-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. They are pictured outside the museum in Southsea Picture: Chris MoorhouseD-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. They are pictured outside the museum in Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse
D-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. They are pictured outside the museum in Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse

D-Day veteran John Jenkins accepted the windfall from the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust on behalf of the city's revamped military attraction.

The money is part of the first phase of match funding for the D-Day Story transformation project '“ which was made possible with a £4m investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

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It's presentation coincided with the 74th anniversary marking the end of the battle in Normandy, which was first spearheaded by the Allied invasion on June 6, 1944.

D-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. They are pictured outside the museum in Southsea Picture: Chris MoorhouseD-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. They are pictured outside the museum in Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse
D-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. They are pictured outside the museum in Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Roger Ching, chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust handed over the cash. 

The windfall comes amid an on-going battle by Portsmouth for the city to be the national focus of the D-Day 75 commemorations next year.

Mr Ching said the cash boost for the museum would help to play in part in making the event a memorable one.

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Thanking the public for its support, he added: '˜We're delighted to be presenting a cheque for £200,000 today; £50,000 of which has been raised by members of the public. 

D-Day veteran John Jenkins received a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. Photo: Chris MoorhouseD-Day veteran John Jenkins received a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. Photo: Chris Moorhouse
D-Day veteran John Jenkins received a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. Photo: Chris Moorhouse

'˜The first phase of The D-Day Story transformation project may be complete but there's more to do to prepare for the all-important anniversary next June, we still have £35,000 to raise - people can still donate to the trust or make a donation to remember someone who took part in the campaign on the Normandy Memorial Wall.'

The D-Day Story featuring the Overlord Embroidery is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Normandy landings in June 1944.

It was officially opened in May by Princess Anne after a £5m National Lottery-supported transformation, undertaken ahead of the 75th anniversary of D-Day next.

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The anniversary is expected to be the last major one marking the pivotal invasion before it fades from living memory.

D-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. Also pictured are fellow trustees of the museum Tim Rusby, left, Charles Ackroyd, right, and the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Lee Mason.D-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. Also pictured are fellow trustees of the museum Tim Rusby, left, Charles Ackroyd, right, and the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Lee Mason.
D-Day veteran John Jenkins receives a cheque on behalf of D-Day Story from the chairman of the Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust, Roger Ching. Also pictured are fellow trustees of the museum Tim Rusby, left, Charles Ackroyd, right, and the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Lee Mason.

A joint campaign by Portsmouth City Council and The News has called on the government to make the city the focal point for the event, as well as demanding Whitehall to stump up cash to make the commemoration special.

The effort has the backing of all the city's political parties, with news expected on whether the government will provide funding to Portsmouth expected in the new few weeks.

Lib Dem culture boss Councillor Steve Pitt said: '˜The transformation of The D-Day Story and the plans to commemorate the 75th anniversary next year ensure that D-Day maintains the international significance it deserves, and the legacy of veterans like John Jenkins and his comrades lives on for new audiences.'

To donate to The Portsmouth D-Day Museum Trust visit  theddaystory.com/discover/about-us/support-us/

Related topics:PortsmouthSouthseaSteve Pitt