Canadians have donated more than £5,500 towards the total £22,540 so far raised by the Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal.

The aim is to raise £40,000 to build a statue of Second World War Canadian airman Andrew Mynarski at Teesside International Airport.

Readers of the Winnipeg Free Press have backed the Echo campaign to commemorate the hero, who died trying to save the life of his fellow gunner, trapped at the rear of the flak-hit plane.

Editor Peter Barron said: "We are incredibly grateful to those in Canada who have got behind our campaign, and we hope that they will continue to support our appeal.

"We also want to thank our readers for the donations they have made and are delighted to be over the halfway mark."

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk