The Fred Trueman Statue Appeal had a presence at one of Yorkshire's largest annual events - the Great Yorkshire Show.

The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate played host to more than 120,000 visitors over Tuesday 10 July, Wednesday 11 July and Thursday 12 July.

Sculptor, Graham Ibbeson was in the Pavilion at the Showground with copies of his statue design encouraging visitors to contribute to the appeal. Graham, together with famous Yorkshire water colour artist, Ashley Jackson, were also promoting the aims of the NorthernArt initiative (www.northernartzone.net) that aims to divert youngsters from anti-social behaviour into art-based activities.

Cricketing legends came together on Monday 25 June to commemorate the life of fellow cricketer, Fred Trueman with the launch of the Fred Trueman Statue Appeal.

Friends and colleagues at the occasion included England and Yorkshire stalwarts Ray Illingworth and Brian Close, as well as former Test umpire Dickie Bird.

The intention was to announce the project to a sell-out crowd at Headingley where Yorkshire was due to take on close rivals Lancashire in a 20-20 match. However the worst rainstorm in living memory washed away those plans.

As a result the appeal was launched at Leeds station where Fred’s widow Veronica was at a ceremony when a Northern Rail train was named after her husband. She also met up with Graham Ibbeson, the sculptor of the proposed statue of Fred.

Veronica Trueman said: "It was wonderful that so many of Fred's friends and cricketing colleagues were able to share an incredibly proud day for me. The statue will make a fitting tribute to Fred's achievements and I'm delighted that the appeal will go on to encourage youngsters to get more involved in constructive activities such as cricket and art."

The request for donations towards the cost of the statue has got off to a great start with one of Northern’s appeal partners, the Skipton Building Society, giving a cheque for £5,000.