IN the prime of their lives, they have given their all. They have battled bravely, answered the call of duty, and in many cases, made the ultimate sacrifice.

They are, unmistakeably, York’s finest heroes; the city’s most courageous sons and daughters; and they have done us all proud.

Today, we launch a campaign of our own, the City of York Afghanistan Memorial Appeal, seeking to give those heroes the recognition and honour they deserve, and to publicly show once and for all that their valour will never be forgotten.

The Press and a raft of local people and organisations have come together, with the aim of raising £200,000 to fund a new permanent memorial for York city centre, and we need you to help us. We are joined and backed in this project by the Army; the families of the three York servicemen who have died in Afghanistan; City of York Council; York Minster Stoneyard and York Civic Trust. We are all in it together, but we need the people of York to get behind the project. We want a memorial that will truly be funded by the people of York, for the people of York, to ensure a fitting tribute to those who have given their all.

Jill and Phil Hatton, the parents of Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, one of the York soldiers who has been killed, said: “Following the death of our dear son Matt, we were very touched by the overwhelming support shown to us, our family and our friends from the people of York. “We believe that a permanent memorial, commemorating the sacrifice and bravery of all the soldiers from York who have tragically lost their lives in Afghanistan, would be a fitting tribute to their memory and sacrifices, as well as showing the wonderful community spirit of our city.”

Steve Hughes, managing editor of The Press, said: “Sadly three men from York have died during the conflict in Afghanistan and after various interviews with their families, it struck us that there should be a permanent recognition of the ultimate sacrifice made by these men. The idea of a new memorial has been warmly welcomed by a number of organisations and individuals and I am sure the people of York will respond in their usual generous way.”

Lt Col David O’Kelly, regimental secretary of the Yorkshire Regiment, which has its headquarters in Tower Street with the York Army Museum, said: “The Yorkshire Regiment is delighted to be associated with the proposal to erect a memorial in the City of York to commemorate the outstanding service carried out by our Yorkshire soldiers during the conflict in Afghanistan.

“Almost every soldier of the regiment will have had at least two opportunities to serve there and some will have been many more times than that. Six soldiers of the regiment have lost their lives in that conflict and over 30 have become casualties, some serious. The regiment is proud to hold the Freedom of the City of York and we would urge every citizen of York to support this appeal to place an iconic memorial at the heart of this great city.”

Andrew Waller, leader of the council, said the increased public turnout in recent years at the Remembrance Day parade and other armed forces events showed that the public wanted to show support to forces engaged on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said: “In speaking to people around the city there is considerable support for the recognition with a monument, and in specific, to recognise the local young men who have given their lives in the campaign in Afghanistan.

“I am sure that there are many across the city, beyond the families and friends of Marine David Hart, Trooper Ashley David Smith and Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, who have been impacted in a way that they will want to support this venture to ensure that their bravery and sacrifice will be remembered for years to come. I hope and trust that the city will show its commitment to the people who give their all in the service of the nation.”

The Very Rev Keith Jones, Dean of York, said: “Remembering how deadly war is makes us the more eager to seek and pray for a just peace for everyone.

“York is among the foremost of our cities as a place of memory, and the battles of long ago are marked. The battles of today must be remembered too.”

Peter Brown, of York Civic Trust, said: “Our memory can be fickle at times, which is why monuments are so helpful.

“They have a powerful presence and this sculpture will help remind not just our present generation, but our children’s children, exactly what part the people of York played in this fateful conflict.”


What we plan to do

We aim to raise £200,000 to fund a permanent memorial in York city centre, honouring those from York who have fallen in Afghanistan, or who have served with military units linked to the city. We will liaise with key organisations to find a suitable site, and will invite esteemed artists to come up with designs, which will then be shown to the public.


How you can help

To donate to the appeal, you can send cheques payable to The City of York Afghanistan Memorial Appeal to Mike Laycock, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. If you want to discuss the appeal, phone 01904 567132.