A NORTH-EAST mayor has boosted an appeal to raise money for injured soldiers.

Councillor Jim Ruck, the Mayor of Darlington, presented a cheque for £2,500 from his mayor’s appeal fund to The 3 Rifles Swift and Bold campaign during a ceremony held in Durham Cathedral last night.

A third of 3 Rifles, which traces its roots to the Durham Light Infantry (DLI), come from the North-East and North Yorkshire.

The battalion has been deployed in the Upper Helmand Valley of Afghanistan.

The Northern Echo is supporting the Swift and Bold appeal to support injured members of the battalion and their families.

Coun Ruck presented the donation to representatives of 3 Rifles, with members of the DLI Association also present, in the Cathedral’s Undercroft restaurant.

He said: “The 3 Rifles are local lads and there is very little we can do to help them and support them – but this is a way we can help and this is the way we have chosen.”

Plans are under way to confer the Freedom of the Borough of Darlington on The Rifles during a Freedom March through the town centre on Wednesday, September 8.

Wristbands carrying 3 Rifles’ logo are on sale at The Northern Echo’s offices in Darlington and Bishop Auckland for a suggested donation of £2 to the Swift and Bold appeal.