City of York Afghanistan Memorial Appeal

The Press and a raft of local people and organisations, including the families of the three York servicemen killed in Afghanistan, City of York Council, York Minster Stoneyard and York Civic Trust, came together to launch an appeal for £200,000 to fund the project.

Three months on, it is fair to say that reaction to a Press campaign has rarely been so strong – and that includes negative reaction as well as positive.

For many, the appeal was simply a very good idea. Cheques started arriving from readers from day one, and are still arriving almost every day.

Local businesses such as the Parvin Indian Restaurant at Haxby and Life Hair Design, based at Bannatynes Gym in Nether Poppleton, have organised fund-raising events; three little girls from Chapelfields organised a cake stall at the bottom of their drive way to boost the fund; and a cousin of York Royal Marine David Hart, who died in Afghanistan, is to stage a sponsored walk from Halifax to York to mark the first anniversary of his death.

More than 85 donations have now been received and, including a £1,000 donation by the newspaper to kick-start the appeal, the total raised so far has now topped £3,500.

Many donations have also been accompanied by heartfelt messages of support. “Well done, brilliant idea,” said one, an ‘old soldier of the 1940s who still remembers the sand of the desert.’ Another reader, who has a grandson serving in Afghanistan , said: “What a brilliant idea to erect a memorial in York .” Other comments included: “Wish I could afford more. Best wishes with the project,” and: “I think it is a wonderful gesture from The Press to organise this.”

But for others, including the Royal British Legion and York & District Council of Ex-Service Associations, the appeal initially raised a number of genuine concerns.

Some asked why another memorial was needed when a memorial stone to those who have died in the conflict was already in place in the Memorial Gardens; and how the memorial would be maintained and protected from attack by vandals.

Concerns were also expressed that the appeal might divert money from the continuing and vital need to support servicemen injured in Afghanistan and other conflicts elsewhere.

The appeal committee has held a number of meetings with Legion and ex-service association members to discuss such concerns and try to address them, with the discussions involving council leader Andrew Waller and York Central MP Hugh Bayley and York Outer MP Julian Sturdy.

Committee members stressed that the appeal was not attempting to build a second memorial simply to those who have died, as some may have felt from early coverage of the appeal.

Rather, they said, the appeal was seeking to create a permanent public artwork to commemorate the thousands of servicemen and women from the York area who had been involved at some time in the conflict in Afghanistan, including those based at barracks such as Imphal in Fulford Road and others who were born and brought up in the city. It would also seek to explain a little about York ’s involvement in the project.

The monument would, however, include a memorial naming those who have died in the conflict – to date, Marine David Hart, Trooper Ashley David Smith and Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton.

In light of the change in emphasis, the committee is proposing to change the name of the appeal to the City of York Afghanistan Commemorative Appeal.

Committee members have stressed that it would ultimately be responsible for the maintenance of the artwork and that some of the money raised would go into a fund to ensure funding is in place to meet such costs.

The Press, which always does its best to publicise the Legion’s Poppy Appeal and Festival of Remembrance each year, has also agreed to re-double its efforts in 2011. We will work with the Legion to ensure its vital work in looking after injured servicemen and their families, and also the families of those killed in conflict, is not forgotten.

Meanwhile, the committee has stressed that anyone who has given a donation but now feels unhappy in any way about the project is entitled to be given their money back. They should write to Mike Laycock at The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN or email their details and request to mike.laycock@thepress.co.uk

Ex-service body lending support

DENISE Edgar, of the York & District Council of Ex-Service Associations, said that after its initial concerns had been discussed in detail with both of the City’s MPs, the leader of the council and The Press’s editorial staff, it was happy to lend its support to the campaign.

“The intended memorial, while having an aspect of remembrance, will honour all those who took part in the conflict – many of who will carry physical and mental scars for many years to come and who will rely on all of us to help them in any way we can,” she said.

“It will show, not only those service personnel from our city, but those who come to stay with us for a short while – be it at Fulford or Strensall or Linton - the respect and admiration that the people of York, regardless of politics, feel for those who serve the nation, and to their families that they are not alone.”

How you can help

IF you would like to help raise funds for the appeal, there are a host of activities and events you might like to stage.

You could organise a raffle or tombola, stage a cake or book sale or hold a coffee morning, or set up a table at a car boot sale.

You could also hold a sponsored walk or run, or even set up an assault course, and you might be able to hold a dress down day at your workplace.

To discuss any fundraising ideas, phone Mike Laycock on 01904 567132.

• Anyone who wishes to make a donation should send cheques payable to The City of York Afghanistan Commemorative Appeal to Mike Laycock, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York , YO1 9YN . Any business or individual wanting to raise funds should contact Mike on 01904 567132 or mike.laycock@thepress.co.uk