THE team bringing a 27ft sculpture, made out of 100,000 confiscated knives from police forces around the UK, to Hereford has been boosted by a £10,000 National Lottery grant.

Alison Davies, part of the team organising the Knife Angel's visit to Hereford later this year, lost her son Mark, 49, to knife crime while he was living in the United States.

The 28-day project will highlight not only knife crime, but all violence, and a series of workshops should help to increase awareness of the "catastrophic" impact of violence and aggression, Mrs Davies said.

The Knife Angel Hereford project has just received the £10,000 boost from the National Lottery Community Fund.

“Thanks to National Lottery players for helping to make our project possible," Mrs Davies said.

"We will be able to make a huge difference by financing youth workshops, schools’ and colleges’ educational programmes, conferences, outreach work and community engagement. 

"We will be able to increase awareness of the catastrophic impact violence and aggression has on individuals, families and the community as a whole. We are truly grateful for the support of National Lottery Funding.”

 Plans are progressing well to bring the Knife Angel to Hereford Cathedral this summer.

In the event dates could have to be adjusted in line with Public Health England’s advice, further announcements will be made, the organisers said.

"Throughout its time in the city, people will be able to visit the Knife Angel, socially distanced or as required by Covid restrictions, free of charge," a spokesperson for the team said.

"Contingency plans will be put in place to hold the above listed events remotely, if physical events remain prohibited."

The 4.5-tonne Knife Angel stands 27ft tall and is made from more than 100,000 knives and blades received from 42 police forces across the UK.

It was created by Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, and has toured around the UK, becoming recognised as a national monument against violence and aggression.