The Evening News' campaign to help Norfolk's D-Day heroes fulfil their final dream to return to Normandy for the 70th anniversary of the longest day has received a welcome boost thanks to fundraisers.
A grand 1940s Swing Dance, held last Saturday at the Uplands Community Centre in Carlton Colville, raised an incredible £1,325 towards our £20,000 total.
Alongside sister paper the EDP, we are backing the Norwich and District Branch of the Normandy Veterans' Association's pledge to raise the cash to take our veterans back to France for June 6, 2014.
And since we asked for your help, you have responded with incredible generosity with cash donations pouring in accompanied by heart-warming letters that illustrate that you too believe our veterans must go back to France for one last visit to the beaches where they fought for our freedom.
We have now raised nearly £9,000, and – with your help – can ensure that our brave boys and girls get back to the frontline one final time.
Sian Francis, who lives in Shipmeadow between Beccles and Bungay, and her mother Dilys Goldspink organised the Swing Dance which saw more than 160 people dancing the night away to the music of The Little Swing Band and DJ The Muffin Man.
A keen 1940s re-enactor, Sian thought the dance would combine a fun night out with the chance to offer a helping hand to D-Day veterans in their bid to return to Normandy.
'It's something very close to my heart – I went to Normandy a few years ago on the anniversary of D-Day and it was lovely to meet some of the veterans and hear their stories,' she said.
'We wanted to do something to help and, because of our interest in the 1940s, it seemed the perfect idea to have a dance. I started being interested in the era about 10 years ago when I started going to the themed dances in a Second World War hangar at Ellough.
'Everyone dresses the part and it was great fun: my interest just grew and grew from there. I love everything about that era: everyone seemed to gel really well, communities pulled together and people looked out for each other even though terrible things were happening.'
Sian added that she would like to thank The Tally Ho Tearooms in Mettingham, St Peter's Brewery, Pleasurewood Hills, Curry's in Lowestoft, Hollywood Cinemas, the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft, the Marina Leisure and Fitness Centre and Norwich Theatre Royal for their kind donations of raffle prizes.
Another themed event being planned to boost the coffers of our appeal will take place on May 18 at Brundall Memorial Hall, Links Avenue – a street tea party will take place complete with tempting food, music, the chance to sing along and see historical items relating to the D-Day era.
'When I read the articles about the campaign to fund the Normandy veterans' trip back to the beaches I thought it was a wonderful idea and wanted to do something to help,' said organiser Pat Seaman.
Pat is hoping that local people will donate homemade food for the event – restaurateur Richard Hughes from the nearby Lavender House restaurant will be providing scones, for example – and that the event will give people the chance to share their memories in an event that will bring the whole village together.
The Street Tea Party will be at Brundall Memorial Hall on Links Avenue on May 18 at 5.30pm, tea served at 6pm. Tickets cost £7 and are available from Brundall Home Hardware, 01603 714341. If you have any enquiries or can help on the day, contact Pat Seaman on 01603 712564.
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