GB News host Ben Leo has been left fuming after a huge World War Two monument needs another £80,000 to get finished.
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The framework for the life-size sculpture of a Lancaster bomber, set to stand in a Lincolnshire field, could be finished by the end of the summer if funds are secured, officials have said.
The Bomber County Gateway Trust raised £200,000 to build the aviation sculpture through donations but needs at least another £80,000 to finish the job.
The landmark, called "On Freedom’s Wings”, will be raised 15m above the ground. When tilted, the Lancaster's 31m wingspan will make it taller than the Angel of the North which is approximately 20m high.
Ben Leo told them to go to the government for money
GB News
The Chancellor recently said that the government will be giving a million pounds towards the cost of building a memorial to honour the Muslims who died in the First and Second World Wars “in the service of freedom and democracy."
Former head of the RAF Sir Michael Graydon appeared on GB News and said that he is "pleased progress is being made" on the statue.
GB News host Ben said: "We can find £1 million for a Muslim war memorial in the budget, but these guys can't gather the £80k from the government to finish this rather fitting tribute to a very important piece of our aviation history."
Graydon responded: "Yes there are there are a lot of memorials around the country, and I have no doubt that each one of them feels that they have a particular grab on available money.
A Lancaster Bomber will be a "gateway to the country"
RAF"I'm delighted to see that progress has been made to finish off the Lancaster. It will be a tremendous gateway into the county.
"I think we just need to remember that, you'll see it, you'll pass it.
"I hope that people will think in remembrance of what happened in World War Two and Bomber County. But I hope they'll also do a bit more than that, because we have the International Bomber Command center in Lincolnshire, and I declare an interest.
"I'm the chairman of it, and it's been doing the most wonderful work to continue that remembrance, to continue that recognition of the sacrifice made by nearly 58,000 men and women in Bomber Command in World War II."
Artist's impression of the monumentArtist's impression of the monumentDespite receiving £500,000 in free labour from local companies, the rising cost of materials is slowing progress
Chairman of the trust, Ken Sadler said:"We've got to raise a bit more money to buy another part.
"About another £80,000. Then we can get the skin, we can fabricate it.
"We're hoping to have it up in the air on site in September this year. It's a final push. We just need that extra bit of cash. If people can donate anything they can, that will be fantastic."
HOW TO DONATE:
You can donate by visiting the Bomber County Gateway Trust website or their Just Giving page.