Tidy Bag

Crowdfunding campaign for Wombles statue

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to build a bench with a bronze statue of Orinoco in Wimbledon.

The plan is for a high-quality wooden bench to be placed on Wimbledon Common, to attract people to the area and keep the legacy of the Wombles alive for future generations.

The project has the support of author Elisabeth Beresford’s children Kate and Marcus Robertson, musician Mike Batt, narrator Bernard Cribbins, AFC Wimbledon football club, and the official licence holders Wombles Operations Limited.

You can pledge any amount to support the campaign, and larger contributions will benefit from rewards ranging from an exclusive pin badge to an invitation to the launch event or a private afternoon tea with Orinoco himself.

Payments and rewards will only go ahead if the project reaches its £38,900 goal by 27 April 2020. The bench and statue will then be created and installed by September.

Simon Hood, the marketer behind the campaign, said: “Paddington Station have a Paddington statue. It would be amazing for Wimbledon to have their very own statue!”

In case final permission is not granted by the Conservators of Wimbledon Common, the local council have agreed to provide an alternative location in nearby Wimbledon Village.

Find out more on the project’s Kickstarter page.