Dunkirk spirit - York's old soldiers need YOU

The remaining eight members of York's branch of the Dunkirk Veterans' Association, most aged in their 80s, will stand in a York shopping centre to collect cash from passers-by.

They are attempting to find £2,600 needed to build a case for their standard, before laying it to rest in York Minster when their association is disbanded this year.

It would lie beside a memorial to fellow soldiers who died during the Second World War evacuation from France's northern beaches.

But the elderly soldiers would rather appeal to the people of York than ask for help from veterans' associations such as the Haig Fund or the Royal British Legion.

Secretary Peter Shaw, the youngest of the group at 79, said: "We think it is wrong for us to approach organisations asking for help because we are not the only branch looking to put their standard to rest.

"We have always been self-supported. We've never accepted even a halfpenny from our own headquarters, but we are virtually at rock bottom."

The elderly veterans will dedicate their own time and effort to raising the cash.

They will be collecting money from shoppers in the Coppergate Centre in York on Thursday.

Mr Shaw said: "Our own members have put in whatever they can afford, but that is nowhere near the £2,600 mark.

"We would accept help from anybody, but we would not make a direct approach to other associations.

"This branch is, and always has been, connected strongly with the city and the Minster. We feel it is the right place for the standard to rest, and we hope the people of York see us as part of their history.

"No doubt some people will see us and think it's a shame that we're having to stand on the streets to collect money. We see it as something we just have to do."

PICTURE: PROUD MEN: Dunkirk veterans with their standard outside York Minster today are (from left ) Peter Shaw, Bill Bentley, John Hallums, Charles Dickinson, Dennis Creme, John North and Jack Page Picture: Mike Tipping