Sir, On Saturday, Hero the rocking dragon made his final public appearance outside the Gift Centre in Abingdon.

Many residents who kindly supported us on Saturday raising money for Help for Heroes requested we let them know if we achieved our target.

With their fantastic support, we raised £558 on the day and it is with pride that we can confirm that we/ you the public raised £10,176.08p for Help for Heroes.

Hopefully, as you read this letter, on December 7, Hero will be on his way to his final “stable” at the Sunshine Nursery for service personnel’s children at RAF Brize Norton, being given an official reception by the Station CO.

Hero was the result of a magnificent team effort, carved by members of Ox & Bucks Woodcarvers. The success of this project would not have been possible without the enthusiastic, dedicated support of other members of the club, but, more importantly, friends, neighbours and relatives come rain or shine in the baking sun at Art in Action, pouring rain at Chiltern Craft Fair and, finally, in rain and thick mud at the Newbury Show.

Without this fantastic team effort, Hero would never have been completed and 4,400 scales/certificates sold in five months.

Our reward? The wonderful smiles of wonder from young children as they gazed at their first and only rocking dragon, the laughter and smiles from the mums and dads as they placed their children on Hero and snapped them on their cameras and mobile phones.

Just as important were the words of encouragement from the people of Abingdon, plus the chink of coins as you placed your generous donations in the buckets and collecting tins.

On behalf of Help for Heroes, the children of Sunshine Nursery and Ox & Bucks Woodcarvers and all their hard-working supporters, thanks a million, you made all the effort well worth while.

Brian Eastoe Chairman Ox & Bucks Woodcarvers Sutton Wick Lane Drayton