A CAMPAIGNER is celebrating after reaching a fundraising target to build a permanent war memorial in Glasgow’s East End.

Taxi driver Jim Watson says he has achieved his £10,000 target for the Dennistoun memorial which will honour the men who fell in World War I.

His final tally was boosted yesterday thanks to a donation of £1,000 from the Parachute Regimental Association of Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

Jim, 49, from Dennistoun, met with the organisation at Glasgow Central Station to receive the cheque.

He said: “We are now sitting at £9,667 but I also have collection tins from local clubs and pubs. I am confident there is a few hundred pounds within them.

“It would seem we are now past the point of £10,000 which was the original target.”

He added: “We started fundraising five months ago and it is unbelievable how generous people have been.

“The whole community has pulled together and we are thankful for every penny.”

The Evening Times previously reported that it is planned for the memorial to be ready for the100th anniversary of the World War I next year.

Jim, a former Territorial Army solider, was inspired to fundraise after seeing a war memorial outside HMP Barlinnie for wardens killed in the World War I trenches.

Once built, Jim plans to organise a grand unveiling, with a notable person launching the memorial. He also hopes to host a parade through the area.

Jim said: “The response to the memorial has been amazing. So many have come up to me and thanked me for doing it.

“I was even at the football recently and guys sitting next to me recognised me from The Evening Times.

“They went into their pockets and handed over money after reading the story in the paper.”

He added: “I am confident we have the money now for the memorial but I will keep fundraising and anything extra will go to charity.

“The next stage is putting the war memorial in place. We already have people working on that. In the new year, we will then start working on planning a launch event for the war memorial.”

You can still donate via www.gofundme.com/dennistoun-war-memorial