WE are proud today to set out on a mission for 2016 – to put right an historic oversight.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and, as County Durham's paper, it is our duty to properly commemorate the momentous role played by the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.

In the course of planning our anniversary coverage, it came to light that the DLI is the only one of the "Pals" regiments not to have its own memorial on the Somme battlefield in France.

A century on, it is time to put that right. We are, therefore, delighted to join forces with Durham County Council, Durham University and the Trustees of the DLI Collections in launching an appeal for a fitting memorial to be established on the Somme by Remembrance Sunday in November.

It is not a case of looking back. Indeed it is a case of looking forward by ensuring that younger generations, and generations to come, do not forget the sacrifices that were made. We will, therefore, be involving County Durham's schoolchildren in creative consultations around the memorial.

Today's special edition of The Northern Echo is the beginning of the memorial appeal and, throughout 2016, we will be promoting it, along with the various events planned in the county to commemorate the DLI's role in one of the most important, and tragic, battles of World War One.

Details of how to support the appeal are on Page 3 of today's paper. Together, let us do right by the DLI.

BACK in 2001, The Northern Echo launched one of the most astonishing appeals in its history.

It involved an adorable little girl from Teesside. Due to the sensitivities involved, I'll just refer to her Hannah.

Hannah was two at the time and she was brought into The Northern Echo offices in Darlington by her family who needed our help.

Hannah had been born with a disfiguring facial birthmark known as a haemangioma, which covered one side of her face and was continuing to grow.

Through research, the family had discovered a pioneering laser surgeon in America, who was the only hope of Hannah's life being changed.

We launched an appeal called "Help Hannah Face The Future" and an incredible £55,000 was raised within days to cover medical costs and travel expenses.

It is a story I often tell during speaking engagements, as a way of illustrating the positive difference local newspapers can make to people's lives. I told it when I addressed Middlesbrough U3A group last week.

Afterwards, I was in the middle of signing my children's books for U3A members and an elderly lady asked for a copy to be dedicated to "Hannah".

"It's the Hannah you've just been talking about," she said. "She's my grand-daughter."

She went on to say that Hannah is 17 now, is doing fine, and about to study law.

"What you did at The Northern Echo made a huge difference," she said.

And that's what still makes this job so worthwhile.

ARGUABLY the greatest campaigner in The Northern Echo's history, Sir Harold Evans, will be in London on Wednesday, attending the London premiere of a "Attacking the Devil".

It is a film, by Jacqui Morris and David Morris, and introduced by David Puttnam, telling how Sir Harry led his Sunday Times team in an investigation which resulted in justice for the victims of the thalidomide drug.

It is certainly a story worthy of being turned into a film. I'm only sorry I can't accept the invitation to be there due to previous commitments.

AS the proud son of a Teesside steelworker, I was delighted to be send a New Year gift by Eston Residents' Association last week.

It is a copy of an impressive book called "Born of Iron, Made of Steel" which has been produced entirely by volunteers.

The foreword, by association chairman, Ann Higgins, says: "....We will take you on a journey starting from the Iron Age to present day. This is our story, researched and put together in our own way. It is about people, pride and caring. It shows the indomitable spirit that epitomises generations of Eston people through the years, told through the eyes of a proud community."

The 100-page book, is dedicated "To all the steadfast communities who have worked and fought to keep the light burning in our iron and steel industry up to the present day."

It will have pride of place on my bookshelf. The association has also sent a copies to David Cameron and Business Minister Anna Soubry. Whether they'll be quite as interested is open to question.

* Born of Iron, Made of Steel, is published by Thurston Printers Limited, of Saltburn, and is on sale for £9.99 via estonresidents@ntlworld.com

FINALLY, we received the sad news last week that Jeff Todhunter, distinguished former sports editor of The Northern Echo, has died.

Jeff was always very kind to me when I arrived in Darlington as a young reporter in 1984 and he is affectionately remembered.

It became a standing joke that, whenever he did the racing page, it would feature the word "irked" in a headline and a photograph of a trainer wearing a floppy hat.

It is, therefore, no coincidence that our racing page looked like this on the day we heard news of his passing.