ACS Stainless Steel Fixings welcomed Year 8 pupils from Lawnswood School, Leeds, to its Cross Green factory this week, as the winners of a design competition watched their ideas forged into steel.
The 2025 charity Steel Soldiers campaign – now in its fifth year supporting the Army Benevolent Fund – features a female silhouette for the first time, honouring Queen Elizabeth II, the first female Royal Family member to serve full-time during wartime. The winning design, created by aptly named student Elizabeth, reflects this year’s theme of Service. Sacrifice. Legacy, while classmates Maya and Kaleb, awarded second and third place, also saw their creations crafted into steel silhouettes to take home.
Lawnswood School was also gifted a 1,500mm steel soldier during the visit. Based on Elizabeth’s design, it will now be displayed in school grounds ahead of Remembrance Day.
Speaking of the competition, Kate Robertson Hart, Marketing Director at ACS, said: “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Lawnswood School and have been incredibly inspired by the pupils’ creativity and enthusiasm for engineering.
“We’re thrilled with Elizabeth’s winning design – her silhouette concept brilliantly captures the spirit of our campaign and is our first ever female soldier. It was a joy to welcome Elizabeth, Maya and Kaleb to the ACS factory, and we hope they enjoyed watching their creations come to life.”
Elizabeth’s design was unveiled earlier this month at Catterick Garrison, in the presence of representatives from ACS, the ABF, and logistics partner DX Group, which will deliver the silhouettes nationwide for the third consecutive year. The silhouettes will be crafted from steel provided at cost from Sebden Steel.
Since launching in 2021, ACS has produced over 780 steel soldiers, distributing them to towns and villages across the UK. Last year alone, the campaign raised £7,000 for the ABF. Silhouettes are available in four sizes – 150mm, 310mm, 600mm, and 1500mm – and can be ordered online until Wednesday 5th November 2025.
ACS is welcoming orders from communities, churches, schools, and individuals. A suggested donation will apply to most orders, with several non-contributory silhouettes available for those on low incomes, as well as educational and community groups. Kate added: “This visit was the perfect way to kick off what promises to be a fantastic campaign. We’re determined to build on last year’s success and raise even more vital funds in support of those who have dedicated their lives to service, especially as we approach Remembrance Day.”
In addition to the Steel Soldiers campaign, ACS is a longstanding supporter of the Armed Forces community. Having signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021, the company guarantees a face-to-face interview for any applicant with UK military service – helping veterans transition into civilian employment.
ACS is the UK’s leading masonry façade solutions partner, delivering innovative, high-performance systems. From masonry support to modular brick-slip systems, ACS provides efficient, compliant, and sustainable solutions. The 117-strong team operates from a state-of-the-art facility in Yorkshire, exporting high-quality, British-made solutions across the UK and beyond.
Find out more about this year’s campaign visit https://acsstainless.co.uk/blog/steel-soldiers-2025/
