The Sheehan Group is proud to support Standing with Giants in its preparations for a moving tribute to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
It is a partnership based on shared recycling values and a commitment to re-using materials in a positive way.
Standing with Giants creates large scale outdoor remembrance art installations, made from recycled materials, handmade by volunteers. Its installations provide a meaningful space for people to visit, reflect and remember those who fought for freedom, past and present.
It is preparing for the ‘People’s Tribute’ – for which 1475 handmade Second World War soldier silhouettes will be taken to Normandy in April 2024 for the commemorations. As part of the preparations, we provided space on a hill at our site in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, for Standing with Giants to position an installation for a photo shoot. The photos from our site will be displayed in a new workshop where a team of volunteers will create the figures. To further help the cause we are providing some crushed concrete to make the site around the workshop safe.
Dan Barton, founder of Standing with Giants, said: “I really enjoyed having a guided tour of Sheehan’s Recycling operation. I find it absolutely fascinating. It’s incredible what we can do to recycle, and that’s part of the ‘Standing with Giants’ ethos. We make our figures from recycled signage, and the type of steel we use likely has a large content of recycled material.
“I’d like to thank Sheehans for allowing us to use their land with a horizon to take images of our recent creations. Plus, for crushed concrete they have donated to help our volunteers have somewhere to park while helping make the ‘People’s Tribute’ – this is the last major anniversary any of the Normandy veterans are likely to see.”
The story of Standing with Giants started in 2019 when Dan placed 100 soldier silhouettes and 75 poppy wreaths on Aston Rowant, a nature reserve overlooking the M40. The response was overwhelming, with approximately 10,000 visitors over a two-week period, contributing over £25,000 in donations for the Royal British Legion. Since then, Dan and his wife Janette have taken this poignant project to more than 20 different locations.
Chris Sheehan, Managing Director of the Sheehan Group, said: “We’re proud to have been able to support this special volunteer-based organisation. The figures it produces by recycling materials is remarkable and demonstrates the value of re-using waste. Standing with Giants is an important cause that people reflect and we wish them every success for the future.”
