A FUNDRAISING campaign has been started to remember Penge people who lost their lives in the Second World War on the town’s main war memorial.

Campaigners want the names of everyone from the town who was killed during the conflict to be put on plaques which will be sited around the memorial at Penge Recreation Ground.

The idea first came from Kathy Bance who, as the ward councillor, has laid the wreath on Remembrance Sunday for three years.

She said: “I’m not doing this as a councillor but in being a councillor for the past three years I have had the honour of laying the wreath in Penge Recreation Ground and I notice people turn up with their medals on and I have this sense they are remembering their friends.”

And after being approached by Wendie Roche, who heads up the Penge Partners community group, about the traders laying a wreath, they decided to work together on the idea.

She added: “We talked about it at meetings of Penge Forum and Penge Partners and the committees really wanted to take this forward.

“There will be around 360 names on the plaques.

“We don’t think anyone from Penge lost their life in the Iraq War, the Falklands or other recent conflicts but, just in case there was, there will be room to add names.”

The plaques will be made out of resin rather than metal so they are not attractive to thieves.

They will cost around £3,000 and campaigners hope to have raised the money by November.

Anyone who wants to donate some money can send a cheque made payable to Penge Forum (Memorial Fund) and send it Wendie Roche, 19 Burmarsh Court, Manston Close, Penge, SE20 7SQ.

If you are related to or know of someone whose name should be represented on the plaques contact local historian Chris Doran, c/o Penge Congregational Church, 172 High Street, Penge, SE20 7QS.