An ambitious campaign to create a lasting legacy in Mansfield to the area’s mining community and heritage has moved a big step forward.

The tribute — a permanent commemorative sculpture and educational attraction — would be sited in Berry Hill Park, Mansfield, but focus on the industry in Nottinghamshire.

The memorial plans aim to remember the sacrifice of the men who died in the county’s coalmines and also produce materials for schools to pass on the history to future generations.

Now the Shining A Light Mining Statue Working Group is celebrating hitting its first fundraising target of £30,000.

A recent award of £14,100 from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund has been added to donations from Mansfield Building Society, Nottingham Community Fund, Thomas Farr Charity, Brunts Charity, A.W. Lymn Charitable Trust, trade unions, and many others.

The community-led project is being spearheaded by Mansfield-based Nottinghamshire Mining Museum, based at Mansfield Railway Station, which has been shining a light on mining history at www.nottsminingmuseum.org.uk

The next stage is to commission sculptor Rachel Carter to begin to design a small model of how the final sculpture would look — and the public can have their say at open events at the mining museum.

Once the model is complete next year, the working group will start further fundraising to turn their dream into reality. It is expected the full-size commemorative sculpture will cost several hundred thousand pounds.

The model of the proposed sculpture will also go on display in the museum and around the area.

Money raised so far has already paid for community events with adults and children in Mansfield and Ollerton. Rachel has created a mining theatre activity kit that enables the museum to share Nottinghamshire’s mining history with children in an original way.

Shining A Light spokesperson and museum volunteer Ann Donlan said: “We thank all our donors, small and large.

“Pit accidents and industrial diseases have left deep and unacknowledged scars across generations of local mining families.

“Our sculpture will provide a focus for memory-linked events and be a source of education, pride, and inspiration for generations to come.

“The children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of miners will learn about their mining ancestors and feel pride in their achievements.”

More than 3,000 miners died in Nottinghamshire pits and the sculpture aims to shine a light on that sacrifice.

To make a donation to the appeal to create a permanent memorial to the 3,000 miners who died in Nottinghamshire pits, and develop materials for schools to pass on the history to future generations, go to www.nottsminingmuseum.org.uk/shining-a-light