THE daughter of a St John Ambulance volunteer who was killed in the wartime bombing of York has given her backing to the Evening Press appeal to buy the organisation a new ambulance.

Brenda Milner, of Willow Park Road, Wilberfoss, was just 13 when her railwayman father William Milner died in an explosion at York Station in 1942.

He was helping to evacuate the station, where he was a foreman, and was killed by an incendiary bomb after he ran back to his office for first aid supplies.

In March, The Evening Press joined forces with St John Ambulance to launch the Life Savers Appeal to raise £45,000 for a state-of-the-art Crusader ambulance for use at events in and around York.

Miss Milner has given a generous donation to the appeal and is now urging others to do the same.

She said: "My father gave his life for this organisation, he was trying to help other people.

"So when something like this comes along, especially as it is 60 years since his death, I like to help.

"I think it's a great thing to support."

Miss Milner said her father was always willing to help people, using the skills he learned from St John Ambulance.

She said: "My father needed first aid equipment to tend to injured passengers, and returned to the Time Office which was hit by an incendiary bomb and set alight. The building collapsed.

"When my father's body was found he was clutching the first aid box, and was identified by the watch chain made up of St John Ambulance Awards."

Appeal director David Sutton said £7,000 had so far been raised.

He said: "We were delighted to receive Miss Milner's contribution to the appeal, especially as it is a cause so close to her heart.

"I would urge everybody to try and support the appeal in any way they can. By using the most up-to-date equipment, our volunteers have the best chance of providing a top class service to everyone in the community."

Appeal cheques should be made payable to St John Ambulance Appeal, c/o David Sutton, St John Ambulance, Lumley Close, Thirsk Industrial Park, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3TD or pay directly at any bank branch into account number 60382078, sort code 20-82-94 or drop them into the Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, June 04, 2002