March 19, 2015 3.24 pm This story is over 108 months old

Lincoln City FC Dambusters memorial crowdfunder takes off

Lincoln FC fundraiser: A project to create a Dambusters mosaic in the Lincoln City FC grounds is hoped to pull the club out of a financial crisis.

A project to create an iconic Dambusters memorial at Lincoln City Football Club’s ground was officially launched on March 19, with the aim of raising funds to solve the club’s banking crisis.

The Imps have set a fundraising target of £380,000 to create the giant mosaic based on a Lancaster painting by Lincolnshire artist Simon Atack.

The campaign has been launched in partnership with the Crowdfunder website and, if it reaches its target, could be one of the biggest crowdfunding projects ever run in the UK.

Crowdfunder has already successfully helped thousands of projects around the UK raise the funds they need to complete their projects – raising more than £4million in total.

Campaigns successfully run with the site include £52,000 for FC United of Manchester to kit out a function room, £219,000 to create an inland surfing centre near Bristol and more than £50,000 to create a nursery ground at Durham County Cricket Club.

To raise the money the Imps hope to create a mosaic at the Sincil Bank Stadium, created by installing new seats, showing an image of a Lancaster bomber and a silhouette of the Lincoln Cathedral alongside the iconic RAF target logo and the Dambusters name.

Lincoln City's plans to create a giant Dambusters mosaic to raise funds

Lincoln City’s plans to create a giant Dambusters mosaic to raise funds

The club hopes football fans, local businesses and RAF enthusiasts from around the UK, will help them raise the £380,000 by “pledging” money for individual or groups of seats that make up the design.

The Imps are having to raise the extra funds after the Co-operative Bank called in the debt it is owed and asked the football club to find new bankers.

Initially a first target of £150,000 has been set by the club – the amount needed to pay for the new seats and work to install them. The project will then continue to raise money to try to hit the ultimate goal of raising £380,000.

Pledges for the mosaic start at £40 and rise to £250 for special sections – with donors receiving a special pin badge, certificate and an invitation to be part of a huge “team” photo when the stand is complete.

Anyone who wants to contribute to the club’s fundraising efforts but cannot afford to pledge for the mosaic can stull contribute £5 as a show of support.

Simon Walker, Head Coach at Crowdfunder, said: “This is a great project for the community to rally behind, showing what’s possible with the power of the crowd.

“Sports projects have a way of reaching into the hearts and minds of a community and we wish Lincoln City the best for their ambitious and exciting campaign.”

Imps acting managing director Kevin Cooke said: “This could turn out to be a pivotal few weeks in the history of the club.

“If the project gets lots of support we could ease our financial issues, create a truly iconic celebration of the Dambusters and get valuable publicity for the club in one go.

“Now we need as much support as possible to turn the dream into a reality.”