A 94-year-old Hampshire veteran has appeared on national television to launch a campaign to find and thank the country’s Second World War heroes.

Bernard ‘Bunny’ Ennis spoke on ITV’s Good Morning Britain about armed forces charity The Not Forgotten’s ‘Forgot You Not’ campaign.

Bunny recently raised over £3,000 for the organisation by cycling 12.1km in seven days, with the help of staff at Winchester-based Ennis & Co founded by his daughter Lynda.

A former rear gunner in the RAF he enlisted 1941 aged only 19 and came close to losing his life when his aircraft was shot down while flying a sortie over the Bay of Biscay.

There is currently no definitive register of those who fought for their country in the Second World War so the charity is asking for the public’s help in finding surviving veterans.

The charity intends to send a Forgot You Not gift box to 5,000 veterans to thank them for their service, lift lockdown spirits, remind them their service remains valued and let them know they are not forgotten.

Spearheading the campaign Bunny, who lives in Langley, says: “2020 has been difficult for many, especially those shielding from Covid-19 and I wanted to help provide some support where I could.

“The Not Forgotten have done so much for me, and for others, so to help raise funds and awareness is a dream come true. I will continue to raise more money for as long as I can. In memory of all the lose servicemen and personnel, including the two of my brothers.”

The Not Forgotten is inviting veterans or their friends and family to come forward with their details.

Brigadier James Stopford, chief executive of The Not Forgotten, said: “While a sense of normality is returning for many, the harsh realities of the pandemic still exist for our veterans, who missed out on their 75th VE and VJ Day commemorations due to Covid-19.

“We want to bring a bit of cheer and to thank them for all they gave and it is also an appropriate way to acknowledge 100 years of support by The Not Forgotten to those who have suffered and served their nation.”

Details can be submitted online at https://thenotforgotten.org/how-we-help/forgot-you-not/ or sent to info@thenotforgotten.org.