Rhinos team up with partners ACS and the Army Benevolent Fund to support communities

Yorkshire-based manufacturer ACS Stainless Steel Fixings will maintain tradition this month, supporting local communities across the country by creating free of charge Silhouette Soldiers this Remembrance Day.

The initiative sees Leeds-based ACS create steel structures of Tommy soldiers, which are then distributed to communities across the country where they will be displayed for Remembrance Sunday services and events.  This year, in a bid to raise more awareness and funds for the Armed Forces, the company has drafted in two new partners; Leeds Rhinos whose players will loan their support to the campaign, as well as the ABF The Soldiers Charity who will be this year’s beneficiary. ACS has also drafted in the support of DX (Group) PLC, with the parcel carrier kindly delivering 250 of the steel soldiers across the country.

 Speaking at a launch at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium today, ACS Managing director David Flannery explained: “Honouring those who serve, and have served in the Armed Forces, continues to be our motivation as we head into our third year of this campaign. I am delighted to unveil two fantastic new partners – including our neighbours Leeds Rhinos, who will use their significant voice across Yorkshire and beyond to support our cause – and of course DX whose kind offer will make the steel soldiers even more accessible.”

It is the third year in which ACS has donated its time and resources to the cause; last year, apprentices in the Leeds-based factory created over 670 soldier silhouettes, raising £2,720 for the Royal British Legion. The new campaign is now open, with ACS inviting businesses and individuals across Yorkshire and beyond to place an order. 

David continued: “It’s humbling to see how far spread this campaign has reached in past years, and it is our hope is to extend that into even more areas for 2023. It’s a great way for people to give something back this Remembrance Sunday and I urge anybody to get in touch who would like to commemorate the day. I’m incredibly grateful to my colleagues at ACS for their extra hard work in making it come together once again.” 

ACS colleagues will create four sizes of silhouettes, ranging from the small 155mm model up to an extra-large 1.5m structure – each expertly cut from a mild steel, with the welding carried out by ACS’ team of keen apprentices. The structures will be created and delivered free of charge, however a Just Giving page has been established to encourage donations to the armed forces via the ABF The Soldiers Charity, something ACS has a long history of supporting. The company guarantees a face-to-face interview for anyone who has served in the UK military, and has signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021 – a promise to help veterans and their families.

Jim Duffy of ABF The Soldiers Charity said: “We stand at the forefront of support for the Army family, last year supporting 70,000 people in 45 countries around the world so it is a joy to see the track record of a company like ACS as it finds its own ways to aid soldiers – be that through new training and career opportunities, or through fundraising. 

“Campaigns like these help us continue our work, and we are honoured to stand shoulder to shoulder with ACS and the Rhinos for this campaign – something which will help us support soldiers, both past and present.”

Concluded Rob Oates of Leeds Rhinos: “We’re fortunate enough to have a platform from which we can promote worthy causes in Yorkshire and beyond. We are proud to lend our support to this campaign and hope that we can help ACS and ABF The Soldiers Charity The Soldiers Charity reach more people, encouraging them to get involved this Remembrance Sunday. ACS are fantastic partners and friend of the Rhinos and have great values that we are only too happy to help and support.” 

ACS is a leading manufacturer and designer of structural building components, including but not exclusive to wall ties, windposts, masonry support and brick slip

systems – all essential components used for the construction of modern-day structures, large or small. The 128-strong team operate from a factory in Yorkshire.