GENEROUS North Americans have donated nearly £11,000 to The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal.

Hundreds of people in Canada and the US have given cash for a bronze statue of Second World War hero Andrew Mynarski to be built at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

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

The total raised in North America is $21,860 (Can).

The Canadian Air Force Heritage Fund, which has been collecting donations on The Echo's behalf, has pledged more money to increase that to $25,000 (Can), or about £10,800.

The money takes the Forgotten Hero appeal closer to its £40,000 target and the planned unveiling of the statue, on June 4.

Don Pearsons, director of the fund, said much of the money was from people in Winnipeg.

"This is a very warm and caring city, so the response doesn't surprise me. The Mynarski name is revered here," he said.

Captain Ben Bond, air force historian with the 1st Canadian Air Division, said: "It just goes to show what people think about Andrew and the sacrifice he and many others made during the Second World War."

Meanwhile, two Sunday afternoon concerts are to be held in Darlington to raise money for the appeal.

The Andrew Mynarski VC Memorial Concerts will take place in the Central Hall of the Dolphin Centre at 3.15pm on March 13 and April 10.

The events - featuring the Normandy Band The Queen's Division, which is based at Catterick, North Yorkshire, and the choir from Middleton St George Primary School - should raise even more money for the 8ft statue, being created by sculptor Keith Maddison.

Producer Ivor Shirley said it was hoped that the concerts would become a regular fixture in the town.

"If these continue in the future, different charities could then benefit," he said.

"The concerts would always be known as the Mynarski concerts, which would be a nice, continuing memorial, as well as the statue, to Andrew Mynarski."

The programme for the first two concerts has yet to be finalised, but will feature soloists Barrie Dargue and Ann Tallis.

"There is going to be a wide variety of music, including military and brass band music and classical," said Mr Shirley. "There will also be music from the shows. It will appeal to all."

Tickets for the concerts are available, priced £10 each, from The Northern Echo office, in Priestgate, Darlington, or from the Dolphin Centre, in Market Place. Alternatively, call (01325) 388410.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a cheque, payable to The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero Appeal, to: The Forgotten Hero Appeal, Newsdesk, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF