British nuclear veterans are taking their fight for a ‘thank you’ to the silver screen – and have launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring it to a theatre near you.
The feature film Nobody Told Us Anything, which had a sneak peak shown at the Britannia Country House Hotel during last month’s British Nuclear Veterans Association (BNTVA) conference, chronicles the 22,000 servicemen who were tested on and their subsequent battle for recognition.
The Kickstarter is aiming to raise £5,000 by July 28 to fund the distribution of the film for nationwide screenings and has currently raised £275.
BNTVA Chairman Nigel Heaps said: “Getting this film in front of audiences across the country along with an opportunity to meet and chat with our veterans will be a major step in raising public awareness of the service given by these men.
“And the legacy of health problems suffered by them and their children in the following years.”
The first step for filmmaker Charles Stewart’s documentary is a free major premiere, which is taking place at Portcullis House in Westminster on Wednesday June 25.
Veterans and politicians are expected to attend with many ex-servicemen offering Q&A sessions at the screening.
The film uses archive footage of the military operations at remote places like Christmas Island, where the majority of the nuclear tests took place, as well as candid interviews with surviving veterans.
The charity has also already secured a number of screenings in their bid to lobby MPs to gain thanks for their efforts as well as a £25million benevolent fund to help treat hereditary illnesses passed on to the children of the soldiers exposed to radiation.
Showings have already been pencilled in for Downham Market’s Armed Forces Day event in June as well as in Hargate, Narborough and Weeting in July.
Further screenings will follow in Hilgay and Wimsbotham in Norfolk as well as the Old Buckenham Airfield, Norfolk in October.
If the Kickstarter reaches the £5,000 total before the deadline, the charity will receive their full funding, enabling them to expand their distribution operation.
Pledge perks range from tickets to screenings, limited edition DVD copies of the documentary and the chance to be listed among the credits for donations ranging from £150 to £2,000.
The online fundraising website is not the charity’s only method of earning the cash and Nigel revealed that two members of the charity have already managed to raise £600 with a bucket collection at Morrisons supermarket in Spalding.
To make a donation to the Kickstarter, click here
Image courtesy of LiveLeak / atomcentral.com via YouTube, with thanks
