I am Paul Winspear, editor of the Herts & Essex Observer in Bishop's Stortford, and I have set up this page to help Cyril Banks, a 91-year-old Second World War veteran from our town who was conned by telephone fraudsters posing as police officers out of his life savings of £9,000.
Cyril, a widower, is well known in his home town of Stortford for his efforts in collecting for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal and for the Not Forgotten Association.
As a community newspaper, the Herts & Essex Observer is rallying its readers to donate to Cyril's cause - to give him back his life savings.
Of the total sum raised, £9,000 will go to Cyril - and he has asked that the remainder be given to another victim of telephone fraudsters in Bishop's Stortford. We will be liaising with Hertfordshire police to locate a suitable recipient.
The transfer of funds to Cyril and any other party or parties will be overseen by his own bank manager At Barclays in Bishop's Stortford.
Thank you
Paul Winspear, editor, Herts & Essex Observer