On Friday 18 June, Sir David Amess, together with Virginia, Dame Vera’s daughter and Natalie Elphicke MP, launched the public appeal for a permanent memorial for Dame Vera Lynn.
The launch was in Dover by the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and attended by a few members of the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue Committee and media. Pictured above is Sir David Amess, Virginia Lewis-Jones and Paul Day, the sculptor.
All the money raised will go to the cost of the memorial and any funds above and over will go to the two charities Dame Vera founded. For more information about the launch and to make a donation, please visit the JustGiving site and the charity website here:
https://justgiving.com/dameveralynnmemorialstatue
https://dameveralynnmemorialstatue.co.uk
A promotional video commemorating Dame Vera's life which features celebrities such as Joanna Lumley, Michael Ball and a letter from Sir Paul McCartney can be viewed on Sir David’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0SgN3q03l8&t=295s
Sir David Amess said:
I was pleased to be by the White Cliffs of Dover to launch the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Appeal today. A sad and happy day for Vera’s daughter, Ginny, who has found a gifted sculptor in Paul Day, whose skills will make sure that Vera is never forgotten. The launch was fantastic, and everyone was in agreement that a memorial would be a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman.
Dame Vera Lynn was honoured with the premiere of a new song tribute at the launch. “Irreplaceable”, sung by Katie Ashby who is best known for her group D-Day Darlings on television’s Britain’s Got Talent, has now been released today, exactly one year after the much-loved Forces’ Sweetheart died. Katie also performed the song most closely associated with the legendary singer, “The White Cliffs of Dover”, accompanied by award-winning musician, composer, and performer Dominic Ferris.
All proceeds from the song will be donated to the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue Appeal. To buy the song, please use the following link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Irreplaceable/dp/B096VMH6TH/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=irreplaceable&qid=1623927384&s=dmusic&sr=1-12
