During the past two years, Standing with Giants have worked hard to produce two installations which represent those who fell whilst liberating the Falkland Islands – for the 40th anniversary on June 14th 2022. One installation has been displayed on the Falkland Islands whilst the other has been displayed at Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire. This is now on display at International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln. The display represents 258 silhouetted life-size figures of Seafarers, Royal Marines, Army, and Airmen and 3 civilians who lost their lives during the 1982 conflict with Argentina.

Dan, and two of the team – his son Luke, and Lucy, an Air Cadet, took an 18 hour flight from Brize Norton to the islands to help install the tribute and meet all of the Falkland Island volunteers who have generously given their time to get involved and make the long awaited plans become a reality.

Dan Barton is the man behind the project – like many, he has an interesting back-story – one that we’d like to share with you here.

Born in Bristol, in 1969, Dan grew up in an artistic environment; his parents bought him his first proper tool kit when he was just eight years old. He was always encouraged to make, question, and explore his creativity. Often chastised at school for daydreaming, it became apparent he was having serious difficulties with his academic studies.

He hid it well, but no-one knew how much this little boy was struggling – from loneliness, social anxiety, and paranoia – all caused by what we now know as debilitating dyslexia. Eventually this took its toll and three days before his sixteenth birthday he was admitted to hospital, and transferred to a specialist unit for children with mental health issues.

Dan lost his freedom, but in doing so gained something very unexpected, an insight into a whole different world and a realisation that no matter how bad his problems were they paled into insignificance when compared to many of the other young people around him.

After returning home he completed his schooling with a reduced timetable of studies, he enrolled on a cabinet making course at a college in Bristol – finally he could study in an environment in which he excelled and the exceptional bureau that he produced as his final project at 19 years old was noticed by the then Junior Minister for Education, who took him under his wing and encouraged him to develop his skills.

Dan, and his wife, Janette, started their own business in their early twenties, and with over 30 years’ experience of running their own business, Dan now has a solid understanding of budgets, logistics, problem solving and deadlines.

As a devoted Dad to two boys, Dan still finds time for  community minded charitable projects – from sleeping in cardboard boxes to raising funds for the homeless, to creating several giant wicker men and burning them for charity, he has always found time to put his knowledge and skills to benefit the community.

To find out more about Standing With Giants please click here