It was, even though I say so myself, a triumph - although as the thunder cracked around the sky I did wonder if we'd get through it unsoaked.
After three years, two months and one week, the Echo's Sheppard-Worlock statue appeal came to a rewarding conclusion yesterday when the statue was unveiled during the city's Pentecost walk of faith.
Thousands of people turned out to witness the unveiling, alongside church leaders and members of both Sheppard and Worlock families.
Having driven the appeal from day one, and having organised the unveiling ceremony (right down to the barriers and PA system), it was a proud day for me.
The last three years have also been a steep learning curve. They have thrown me into the world of planning applications, highways licences, health and safety and public indemnity discussions, let alone the process of commissioning a 15ft bronze statue.
It's a stunning piece of work from sculptor Stephen Broadbent and I hope people will see it as a worthy addition to the city's strong collection of public statues, art works and memorials.
We couldn't have got this far without the help of so many people - from all the donors to the city planners, public realm and highways workers, Stephen and his team, the Sheppard and Worlock families, our agent Roger Johnston and engineer George Payne, Mary and Andy at the Hope Street Hotel, the PA system lads, and the lovely maintenance guys from Liverpool Cathedral who came out on their day off to put up vital barriers for me around the statue site - then came back to take them down again in pouring rain and thunder.
Grace Sheppard said she was "in awe and gratitude" at yesterday's event.
Well, gratitude of the work of David Sheppard and Derek Worlock was what spurred our appeal for this lasting memorial and I'm glad it's already being appreciated.
