A PROLIFIC Rhyl fundraiser is hanging up his poppy appeal tin to embark to broaden the scope of his vision.

After three and half years of working for the Rhyl Royal British Legion (RBL), Mace News owner Richard Kendrick is moving on following a poignant tribute to the mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings on Rhyl Promenade on Thursday, June 6.

As well as raising an estimated £115,000 for the Poppy Appeal, Mr Kendrick has spearheaded a host of well received events and memorials in the town and now hopes to share his efforts with more towns.

Rhyl Journal:

A stirring monument shaped in sand by Denbighshire school children for Rhyl's D-Day memorial. Picture: Matt Hellen

Mr Kendrick, 46, said: “It is very difficult to move on, but it was great to go finish with the D-Day memorial.

“I love what I do in Rhyl, and the community comes together here like nowhere else. The messages of thanks I’ve had from Rhyl residents has brought tears to my eyes.

“But feel need to push myself and I’m very excited to have this chance to get other towns together like we have in Rhyl.”

Mr Kendrick first took on the role in 2016 following a plea from the RBL for an organizer in the area after previously helping raise funds for charities such as St Kentigern Hospice.

He estimates that since joining the RBL he has also raised about £60,000 for other charities, as well as maintaining his annual gig as dressing up as Santa for North Wales charity Superkids.

Father of three Mr Kendrick added: ”When I saw the chance to work for the RBL I jumped at it. I know the families of a couple of the young men who lost their lives in various conflicts and I wanted to help them.”

As well as fundraising, among the notable projects generated by Mr Kendrick in 2018 alone include creating a permanent monument to ‘Joey’ from Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse with Dyserth chainsaw artist Ian Murray, inspiring town’s across the UK – and expats in Spain - to follow after he created 212 individual poppies for each of Rhyl’s World War One fallen and innovating a portable Roll of Honour available to the town’s churches.

Rhyl Journal:

Chainsaw artist Ian Murray, Richard Kendrick and Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane unveil the War Horse monument last October. Picture: SW121018D

Also last year, Mr Kendrick also helped rally businesses in Rhyl, Prestatyn and Rhuddlan to support the purchase of 14 Silent Soldier silhouettes monuments to mark the centenary anniversary of Armistice day, helping North Wales purchase the second highest number in the whole UK.

Rhyl Journal:

Two of the town's 'Silent Soldier' silhouette's flank another monument 'Tommy' carved by Ian Murray for Rhyl's D-Day memorial. Picture: Kerry Roberts

However, it is in working engaging Rhyl’s youth and schools with the town’s military history that remains the pinnacle of his tenure.

“The highlight would be the show in the Rhyl Pavilion for Together We Stand: 100 Years On For Those Who Have Fallen. With more than 300 schoolchildren dancing and singing, it was an amazing night."

Rhyl Journal:

Mr Kendrick particularly enjoyed engaging young people in Denbighshire, including many of the areas schools for the recent D-Day memorial. Picture: Kerry Roberts

While Mr Kendrick remains tight lipped on his next venture, he is currently planning to support celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in Rhyl next year, as well as taking meetings to set up a regular dinner club for veterans.

He will also join veteran and frequent collaborative partner Mr Murray for a novel take on the 'Three Peaks Challenge' in September, involving carvings on the summit of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis to raise funds for the RBL, Army Benevolence Fund and Blind Veterans.

To donate to the Three Peaks challenge, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ian-murray-1.