100 MPs call for Rishi to help fund Dame Vera statue
A CAMPAIGN to fund a memorial to honour Dame Vera Lynn has won support from almost 100 politicians.
MPs including ex-ministers and senior backbenchers have written to Rishi Sunak seeking public cash for the sculpture.
They include Harriett Baldwin, who chairs the Treasury committee, former deputy PM Damian Green and senior Tory figures Sir Graham Brady and Sir John Redwood.
Tory MP Natalie Elphicke, whose constituency features in Dame Vera’s iconic song The White Cliffs Of Dover, handed the letter in to No 10 yesterday.
Ms Elphicke told the Daily Mail that Dame Vera, who died at 103 in 2020, was a ‘Great Briton’ and that her statue would be an inspiration, especially to women and girls. She added: ‘There should be more memorials recognising the contribution of women. That’s why this one matters so much.’
The memorial to Dame Vera and other wartime entertainers has been designed by British sculptor Paul Day, who created the Battle of Britain tribute on London’s Victoria Embankment. His new work would be displayed at the National Arboretum, near Lichfield in Staffordshire. A gala evening is planned to help to boost fundraising at London’s Connaught Rooms this Friday.
The dinner- dance will enjoy entertainment from The D-Day Darlings, Britain’s Got Talent-winning Chelsea pensioner Colin Thackery and Dame Vera’s friend, singer Vicki Lee.
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth will compere and Lord Archer will preside over an auction of some of Dame Vera’s personal memorabilia, including her gold disc for her Forces’ Sweetheart album.
For tickets at £125 a head, or £1,100 for a table of ten, call 020 3488 6713 or email amy@ourlegend.com
You can donate at www. dameveralynnmemorialstatue. or send cheques payable to: Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue, c/o The Treasurer, ‘Dormers’, Main Road, Brighstone, Isle of Wight PO30 4AJ.