CAMPAIGNERS aiming to establish a national monument to the women of the Second World War are hoping for a right Royal response from North Yorkshire people.

Former artillery battery gunner Edna Storr, 74, of Cedar Crescent, Selby, said she hoped for a good turn-out at a fundraising event in the town next month.

The Methodist Chapel in Portholme Road will be the venue for the fundraiser at 10am on Saturday, March 7, which will incorporate a table-top sale, raffle, cake stall and tombola.

Mrs Storr has joined forces with another local veteran Maude Vollans, 76, of Main Street, Burn, near Selby, to hold fundraising events which have resulted in about £250 being collected for the memorial fund so far.

The Evening Press revealed last month that the Queen - who served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service - and Princess Anne are backing the £75,000 campaign to create a monument to the "forgotten" women who played a vital role in the war effort.

The Queen has said she would welcome the opportunity to officially unveil the proposed memorial and asked to be kept informed of progress.

Major David Roberton, of Imphal Barracks in York, instigated the campaign to create a monument made up of three bronze sculptures of women in the uniforms of the ATS, the Women's Royal Naval Service and the Women's Auxiliary Air Force.

The Princess Royal, who is chief commandant for women in the Royal Navy and commandant of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, was said to have been delighted to accept an invitation to become vice-patron of the appeal.

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