Plans to build a statue for former Norwich City player Justin Fashanu have taken a step forward after a city firm made a large donation to the campaign.
The Alan Boswell Group, based in Rouen Road, has donated £5,000 to the campaign and urged other businesses to do the same.
It brings the total amount raised to just under £10,000 as the campaign aims to raise £150,000 to make the statue and accompanying memorial garden a reality.
The donation comes after the Evening News and Justin Fashanu Statue Campaign issued a call for businesses to come forward.
Andrew Reynolds, leader of the campaign, said: “We are thrilled with Alan Boswell Group’s generosity and commitment to providing a safe space for everyone to play the game we love.
"They have long been partners of Norwich City Football Club and we hope their lead will prompt other local businesses to join us to make Justin’s statue a reality.”
Lee Boswell, of the insurance and finance firm, said he hoped his company would be the first of many to back the bust.
He said: “Norwich has always been considered a welcoming place.
"Our club’s nickname, logo and colours are a reminder of that.
"Justin was not a black footballer or a gay footballer he was just a wonderful footballer at our wonderful club.
"Although we shouldn’t need a statue to help break down prejudices if this sculpture can help people feel safer and more confident in their skin or sexuality, then it will have achieved its objective.
"I hope other local businesses can get behind the campaign and make the Fashanu statue a reality.”
The statue will be created by sculptor Taslim Martin and will replicate Fashanu’s celebration after scoring the 1980 goal of the season against Liverpool.
Campaigners hope to build it on the banks of the River Wensum near Carrow Road.
The £150,000 will cover the cost of the design, construction and installation of the statue, contributions to the surrounding garden design and maintenance, and educational materials.
Famous faces to have already backed the sculpture include Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker.
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