PUPILS at a Canadian school have launched a petition backing The Northern Echo's campaign to have a statue erected to forgotten Second World War hero Andrew Mynarski.

More than 300 signatures have already been collected by children at the Andrew Mynarski VC School, in the 27-year-old airman's home city of Winnipeg.

Pilot Officer Mynarski was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for trying to save the life of a friend, Pat Brophy, on a blazing Lancaster bomber, which flew from RAF Middleton St George, near Darlington.

The Northern Echo has launched a £40,000 appeal to have an 8ft bronze statue erected to mark his bravery at Teesside International Airport, formerly the air base.

So far, £14,854 has been raised.

Karen Eschuk, a teacher at the junior high school, in Winnipeg, said the response from pupils to collect signatures was instant.

"They took it around students and to residents in the area, and quickly got more than 300 names," she said.

"The students support the campaign to get a statue in England. We hope to send the petition overseas."

The school, which houses a collection of memorabilia on the rear gunner, will celebrate it's 50th anniversary next year.

Floyd Williston, a Canadian author and military historian, has also commended The Northern Echo's campaign.

"There is no doubt Mynarski deserves it," he said. "I think local people here should associate themselves with the funding campaign too.

"While the statue will be in England, it is important for people to recognise what Mynarski's name and deed mean."

Meanwhile, North-East RAF enthusiast Arthur Denham, 69, of Hurworth Place, near Darlington, has given his backing to the paper's campaign.

He has visited the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, in Ontario, where the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster plane is displayed.

He said: "I think Teesside Airport should have been named after him. I remember watching them as a small boy going off on a night and there were some brave lads, none more than him."

* Cheques, made payable to The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero Appeal, can be sent to: The Forgotten Hero Appeal, Newsdesk, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1NF.

If you are planning a fund-raising event - or remember Plt Off Mynarski - call the newsdesk on (01325) 505065, 505064, 505054 or 505068.