THE City of York Afghanistan Memorial Appeal has topped £3,000 as donations continue to arrive daily at The Press.

The appeal aims to fund a new permanent monument in the city centre, which would highlight the regiments associated with the city who have fought in Afghanistan and also list the names of all the York servicemen who have died there. It will supplement a memorial stone already situated in the Memorial Gardens.

One of the latest donations is a cheque for £150 from the village pharmacy at Poppleton, near York, the home village of Royal Marine David Hart, one of three York servicemen who have died in the conflict in Afghanistan. He was killed in an explosion in Sangin last summer, a day before his 24th birthday.

Pharmacist Pam Brompton, who said his mother was a loyal customer at the shop, told how the whole community had been upset by his death.

She said the pharmacy had staged a mini-booksale for years, with staff and locals donating magazines and books, and the money raised going to a good cause. “This time, we thought the village might like the funds to go to something close to our community.”

Other readers sending donations have written messages such as: “Wish I could afford more; best wishes with the project,” “Keep up the good work” and “Many thanks for all you are doing.”

Meanwhile, an Indian restaurant, the Parvin in York Road, Haxby, has started taking bookings for a fundraising meal in aid of the appeal to be held on the evening of Tuesday, February 22. Tables there can be booked in advance by phoning 01904 758864 or 01904 764340.

• To donate to the appeal, you can send cheques payable to The City of York Afghanistan Memorial Appeal to Mike Laycock, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.