A PERMANENT memorial to the sacrifices of one of the country’s most famous military regiments could be erected in the North-East following the success of an appeal backed by The Northern Echo.

Old soldiers are on target to create a life-sized bronze statue of a Durham Light Infantry bugler at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire – expected to be unveiled next summer.

Their appeal for that memorial has been so successful they are hoping to pay for a replica for Durham City.

DLI Memorial Appeal coordinator Colonel Arthur Charlton said: “The fundraising drive has lived up to our expectations.

“We set a target of £75,000 and – with pledges and gift aid – are approaching £70,000 raised so far. Providing the fundraising momentum can be maintained, we should be in a position to have a replica in Durham City.”

Col Charlton urged people, in the meantime, to throw their weight behind Sergeant Neil Hymas, of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who has volunteered to complete a solo march around the old boundary of County Durham.

Sgt Hymas, 47, from Newton Aycliffe, will march 240 miles in eight days, carrying 70lb, for the appeal.

His Faithful Foray will set off from the DLI Museum and Art Gallery in Durham, at 11.30am on Saturday, July 16.

Plans for the memorial were instigated by two former DLI soldiers who visited the arboretum in Staffordshire, where they discovered that their regiment was not honoured among the others there.

Former signaller Keith Straughier and former bugler Richard Softley, who raised £6,000, won the backing of the trustees of the DLI and secured the approval of trustees at the arboretum to place the memorial on a prominent site.

Mr Straughier, who recently organised a golf day at the Brancepeth Castle Golf Club that raised £1,100, said: “The people of Durham have been extremely generous. It is beyond my wildest dreams to be where we are now.”

Meanwhile, it has been revealed the sculpture will be created by sculptor Alan Herriot and cast at the Powderhall Bronze Foundry in Edinburgh.

Donations for the memorial should be made payable to the Regimental and Chattels Charity of the former DLI and sent to DLI Memorial Appeal, The Rifles Office, Elvet, Waterside, Durham, DH1 3BW.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Sgt Hymas should mark the correspondence for Faithful Foray.