Remembered

The Forgotten Hero appeal, launched last June, aimed to raise £40,000 for an 8ft bronze statue of Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The 27-year-old air gunner, from Winnipeg, Canada, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for trying to save the life of his friend, Pat Brophy, on their blazing Lancaster bomber.

The plane flew from the Royal Canadian Air Force base at Middleton St George, near Darlington, which is now the airport.

Today, we can announce that our campaign has far exceeded its goal, thanks to a £50,000 donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the generosity of organisations and people here and in North America.

The amount raised now stands at more than £76,000 - and a local school is to benefit from the extra funds.

Pupils from Middleton St George CE Primary School, which is close to the airport and which suffered a devastating arson attack in 2003, will get cash for books and computer and video equipment.

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, said: "The success of this campaign means that the bravery of those who fought for our freedom will be remembered for generations to come.

"Everyone who contributed - both in this country and in North America - should feel very proud of that fact as we commem-

orate the 60th anniversary of the end of the war."

Our campaign won the support of Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Royal British Legion, the Royal Canadian Air Force and many others.

Mr Blair said last night: "I am delighted to hear of the success of The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal. It is fantastic news that such an ambitious fundraising target has been met.

"Through the efforts of everyone involved in this campaign, we can now commemorate not just the extraordinary heroism of Andrew Mynarski but all his comrades whose bravery and sacrifice helped defeat tyranny.

"They did so, of course, to ensure a better future for their children, so it is wonderful that the extra money raised is going to Middleton St George Primary School.

"I congratulate everyone involved in this campaign."

Jeremy Lillies, head of public affairs at the Royal British Legion, said: "The legion is delighted to hear of the success of this campaign.

"It is always important to remember all those who took part in the war and, in particular, those who committed acts of bravery."

Didy Grahame, of the Victoria Cross and George Association, described the news as "absolutely fantastic".

"Very, very well done to The Northern Echo," she said.

"It's a great tribute to Mynarski's bravery and memory that people have been prepared to recognise him in this way. It's wonderful."

The six local authorities with shares in the airport - Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, and Redcar and Cleveland - each donated £1,000 to the appeal. The airport gave £5,000.

Airport managing director Hugh Lang said: "We are delighted that the donations made for the appeal have exceeded the target.

"We are now working closely with The Northern Echo to ensure that all aspects of the project are running as efficiently as possible.

"We are looking forward to unveiling the statue at the airport in June."

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said: "I'm delighted that the generosity of the people of the region has made possible a fitting memorial to a true hero."

Mynarski's family in Canada also backed the appeal, and spoke of their delight last night at its success.

His niece, Jocelyn Holowaty, of Winnipeg, said: "That is wonderful. We are very pleased and proud that the statue will be built.

"It will be an inspiration to other soldiers who read his story."

The biggest newspaper in Mynarski's home city, the Winnipeg Free Press, backed our campaign, as did the Canadian Air Force Heritage Fund, which collected donations for the appeal.

The total raised in Canada was $21,860 (Can). The heritage fund pledged cash to increase that amount to $25,000 (Can), or about £10,800.

Lieutenant Colonel Dave McComb, commanding officer of Mynarski's 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, based in Winnipeg, said: "Andrew was the recipient of one of only two Victoria Crosses given out to the Royal Canadian Air Force.

"We are very proud of our history and its important for us and the Brits to recognise him as one of our heroes."

The statue, created by North-East sculptor Keith Maddison, will have pride of place outside Durham Tees Valley Airport's new terminal and will face Mynarski's native Canada.

It will be unveiled by Pat Brophy's daughter, Colleen Bacon, of Toronto, at a ceremony at the airport on June 4.

She said: "I think it's wonderful that the Heritage Lottery Fund is willing to recognise this project.

"It's amazing that the statue is to be built, and I'm so thrilled for everybody involved."

Mr Maddison said: "It's great.

"I think Andrew Mynarski would be amazed that he was responsible for all this.

"All this is happening because of his bravery and that is tremendous, but he would probably say he was only doing what any other human being would do."

Keith Bartlett, Heritage Lottery Fund regional manager for the North-East, said the appeal was "a great example of how heritage can bring communities and different generations closer together".