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Dedicated Island Volunteers 'Soldier On' To Restore Historic Tank

Young disadvantaged Islanders are undergoing the gruelling task of restoring a cold war era conquerer tank in a bid to get them into work and prepare them for life in employment.

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Charity Soldier On! Works with museums and organisations to create heritage-style projects for young people who may be vulnerable and experiencing social isolation. 

‘Project William’ is currently underway at The Wight Military Heritage Musem in Cowes after being postponed because of coronavirus. It is the first of its kind on the Isle of Wight and it’s hoped will be one of many.

The team of four volunteers have dedicated all their weekends in October to take part and will work together (in a COVID secure way) to cosmetically restore the tank.

Project Manager at Soldier On! Murray Grant told Isle of Wight Radio:

“The tank is one of 180 conquerer tanks that were made back in the 60s, our crew working on this project are hoping to develop skills and personal development so they can learn some lessons that will serve them well in life and we have already had one that got a job!”

The charity is also partnering with the Isle of Wight College to develop essential digital skills such as 3D animation, games development, mobile application and web development.

After the practical skills that the young men will learn, Isle of Wight Jobs will also be working individually with each of them to improve their interviewing skills and get them into work.

CEO and Founder of Soldier On! Nicholas Harrison told Isle of Wight Radio:

“Soldier On! is a charity that uses heritage projects as a means of delivering personal development opportunities to help people upskill and prepare for the world of work, to learn new things and to experience elements of work that employers are really looking for.  So the usual things like good communication and working hard -  that’s what the team are doing here.”

Isle of Wight Radio’s Iona has been to meet the volunteers and asked them why they signed up to the project and what they hope to get out of it?

Find out what they said in this exclusive video...


 

The tank should be restored by 3pm on Sunday (25).

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