AN INGS mother hopes to see the nation covered in a sea of yellow ribbons as a show of solidarity for troops in the Gulf.

Paula Badger has the firm backing of Falkland war veteran Simon Weston and Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins in her bid to paint the country yellow.

Along with the help of Windermere chef Roland Stadelmann, she has already made 1,000 ribbons and plans to make another 4,000 by the end of the week.

Mrs Badger has set up a website informing people how they can do the same and hopes to pass the ribbon-making baton to others across the country.

"Nobody wanted the war but there are factors beyond our control. Wearing a yellow ribbon shows our troops visually that we are supporting them and it gives the community a chance to do something locally."

The former RAF stewardess said the campaign was a morale booster in a time when many troops felt as though they did not have the backing of people in Britain.

"I want everyone to wear their ribbons until the last British serviceman comes home. It gives moral support to the troops to see people back home wearing them," she said.

The ribbons which have attracted inquiries from across the country and as far as Las Vegas will be sold for a donation with proceeds going to the Soldiers, Sailors and Airforce Association, which has endorsed the campaign.

Mrs Badger, who hopes to take her campaign to the capital's corridors of power, has also come up with a mascot Bluey the Bear to promote the campaign and encourage people to write to troops in the Gulf.

She is a woman with strong ties to the forces - her two daughters Samantha and Caroline were in the RAF and her son Simon, who still is, is on standby for the Gulf.

Mrs Badger said she was comforted that she would be facing that fear with many other mothers.

People who want to find out more about the yellow ribbon campaign should log on to

http://www.communigate.co.uk/lakes/yellowribbonscampaign/index.phtml where they can also contact Mrs Badger.

April 11, 2003 10:31