THE drive to raise a statue of a Newport boxing hero is continuing after fundraisers learnt they must pay part of the cost to prepare ground on which the statue will stand.

The statue of Pill-born British heavyweight champion David Pearce was originally going to be placed on Mariner’s Green on Cardiff Road, but following objections to this plan its site was changed to the riverfront in the city centre and there is more groundwork needed at this site.

Campaigners will have to meet part of the cost to pay for the extra work needed to prepare the ground and erect a plinth for the statue. Although they have now raised £36,000 they will now have to find an additional £8,500.

Fundraiser and nephew of David, Luke Pearce said: “We’re really grateful for the money that has been raised so far to pay for the statue. To make the dream of raising a memorial to David become a reality, we need to raise some more - and I’m hopeful we can do that.

“We’re working with the council to get this done as soon as we can.”

The statue itself has now been completed with the final coat or ‘patina’ applied which gives it a shining finish.

Fundraisers also scooped an honour at the recent V Awards where the campaign was recognised with an award.

The team also have a series of events planned between now and the end of the year. There will be a fundraising dinner at Dutchy’s restaurant in Newport on November 12, while Pill Harriers will host a disco on November 25.

There will be a race night at the Victoria in Lliswerry on December 1 and a fundraising pub crawl round Newport pubs which have supported the campaign by hanging a copy of a painting of the Newport boxer on December 8.

The committee also gave thanks for the latest donations which saw Newport Concrete Pumping (Tony and Alan Murray) give £200 and the Athay family of Distinct Worktops who also gave £200. They also thanked Ricky Gilchrist and Jamie Crook of the Phone Box on Malpas Road and the Wetter family who gave a £40 donation.

You can support the campaign by going to the crowdfunding website justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-pearce