THE Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal has received a boost from former servicemen and women.

The Darlington branch of the Royal Air Force Association has donated £1,000 to the paper's fund to get a £40,000 statue of Second World War hero Andrew Mynarski built at Teesside International Airport.

The 27-year-old, from Winnipeg, Canada, fell to his death after he tried desperately to save the life of his fellow gunner Pat Brophy, who became trapped at the rear of their flak-hit plane during a mission over France.

The Lancaster Bomber had flown from the Royal Canadian Air Force base at Middleton St George, which is now the airport.

Branch secretary Margaret Roberts said: "Our members regularly go to the service which is held each year at the airport to commemorate Mynarski's bravery.

"We wanted to support the appeal and have great pleasure in handing over the cheque for £1,000."

To make a donation, send a cheque made payable to The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero Appeal to: The Forgotten Hero Appeal, Newsdesk, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF.