LAST year, the cousin of a Royal Marine David Hart raised more than £1,400 for the City of York Afghanistan Commemorative Appeal through a sponsored 42-mile walk.

Gavin Butler, 33, and a group of friends walked to York Minster from their home village of Greetland, near Halifax, in the summer.

The team – who were marking the first anniversary of the death of Marine Hart- walked for two days, eventually arriving at the Minster on Saturday, July 9, which would have been David’s 25th birthday.

The Afghanistan Commemorative Appeal, which has now topped £8,000, aims to fund a new permanent monument in the city centre to recognise regiments associated with York who have fought there and also list the names of the York servicemen who have died in the conflict.