Miners statue wrapped up in bandages as part of appeal
A landmark miner sculpture has been partially wrapped in bandages as part of an appeal to support a children's hospital.
The Brownhills Miner statue has had its knees bandaged to raise funds for Birmingham Childrens Hospital's big bandage appeal which aims to raise £4 million to transform its 30-year-old cancer ward.
The 30ft statue at the junction of High Street, Pelsall Road and Chester Road, was installed in 2006 and can be seen for miles by motorists driving through the Brownhills area.
Money raised from the appeal will support the ground-breaking work at the hospital and help to improve the facilities and environment for children who are treated there every year.
Last year organisers wrapped up Birmingham Bullring's famous bull in bandages.
Ambassador Amanda Bailes (corr) said the miners statue was chosen because it is an 'iconic' piece of art work.
She said: "Every year the hospital stages its big bandage event to collect money and people are encouraged to wear bandages to raise awareness of the work the hospital does and raise money to keep it going.
"This year we decided to wrap up the Brownhills mining memorial because it is an iconic statue that lots of people will recognise.
"The statue is so big we only managed to do its knees but it will certainly make people stop and stare."
The Big Bandage is one of the hospital's biggest annual fundraising events and last year around 15,000 people across the Midlands wore a bandage to raise £42,000.
This year, organisers are hoping to raise £101,000 which will go towards the Children's Cancer Centre.
The hospital hopes to build a larger cancer ward and outpatients clinic with more space for beds, consultancy rooms and another toilet.
