COUNCILLORS have awarded £10,000 to the £4million project to help restore Wellington Monument.

Members of Wellington Town Council made the gesture at their monthly meeting on Monday following a presentation by Emma Jones, the National Trust’s recently-appointed community fundraiser and community engagement officer for the Wellington Monument project.

Plans are in place to tackle the worst affected area of the monument – the top third of the 175ft three-sided obelisk on the Blackdown Hills.

This initial work is likely to cost £2m which would be financed from Government-backed Libor Fund money with the National Trust contributing the remainder.

It means the National Trust is launching its own fundraising scheme to raise the remaining £2million needed to complete the works.

As the town council made its £10,000 pledge it was also announced that Historic England would be contributing £250,000 to the project.

National Trust fundraiser Emma – dubbed the ’Monument Girl’ - knows the £2 million target is a tall order but is optimistic of reaching the total required.

“We are all passionate about the monument,” she said. “I love the monument and want to try and make a little difference.”

She told councillors lots of plans were in the pipeline locally to raise cash, while the National Trust was looking to attract funds from larger organisations.

There will be a Wear Your Wellies Day in November, a sponsored walk next May and a ’sponsor a stone’ scheme.

“I have the loveliest job and it is exciting because everyone wants to get involved,” said Emma.

Councillors congratulated Emma on her enthusiasm for the role and wished her well.

“I think we should be supporting her wholeheartedly – she is very enthusiastic,” said Cllr Bob Bowrah.

Cllr John Thorne added: “I’m enthused by Emma enthusiasm – perhaps it is time for us to put our money where our mouths are. I propose we give £10,000 to kick-start the local fundraising.”

Cllr Ross Henley said: “It is a well-loved monument, although it is outside our boundary, it’s fantastic to hear some of the ideas.”

Cllr Marcus Barr offered to collect for Wellington Monument at Wellington Carnival by walking the route on September 29.

“I will grab people by the neck and ask them for £5,” he quipped.

As councillors supported the move to donate £10,000 they were also told the National Trust was getting the support of the present day Duke of Wellington.