On Saturday 8th August at 3.10pm* the distincitive sound of a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine will swell as a single, low-flying Spitfire approaches from the north (Broadway direction) and flash over Toddington station.

It is a sight and sound that stirs strong emotions. Not only can it bring tears to the eyes of the 70-somethings who remember aircraft such as this departing on sorties to fight for Britain during the war, but it arouse intense feelings in people of all ages.

Watching the flypast will be David Shepherd, artist and wildlife conservationist, while his steam locomotive, 9F 2-10-0 no. 92203 Black Prince (which is 50 this year), simmers nearby ready to take its train to Cheltenham. In fact, David will be at the railway most of the day and says he is looking forward to meeting visitors.

David Shepherd, who was made a CBE last year for his services to charity and wildlife conservation, this year donated a brand-new work titled 'Elephants at Amboseli' to the Forgotten Heroes appeal. This aims to raise money for a national memorial to the 55,000 aircrew who died serving with Bomber Command during the Second World War. The spectacular painting is being raffled and tickets cost just £10 with all proceeds going to the appeal. It shows elephants on the plain in front of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro.

David, who has been described as Britain's greatest living artist, has a long association with the RAF and latterly the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. It was thanks to this connection that the Spitfire flypast on 8th August is happening, as well as a flypast to take place on Thursday 20th August* when the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster bomber will fly low over Toddingon.  On this occasion, when Black Prince will again be in steam and a special celebration of the locomotive's 50th birthday will take place.  An N-gauge limited-edition model of the locomotive will also be launched on that day, but news of this special day will follow soon.

It is thanks to the RAF that David Shepherd's career painting wildlife subjects took off when they flew him to Nairobi to paint a picture of a rhinoceros chasing a Twin Pioneer aircraft.

That has since led to paintings of countless subjects but especially wildlife, aircraft and, during the dying days of steam on British Railways, steam locomotives. His success as a painter enabled him to buy two steam locomotives from British Railways in 1968, one of which is Black Prince which is resident on the GWR (the other was a Standard class 4 4-6-0 no. 75029, which he no longer owns and is on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway).

David's work also led him to establish the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation which has raised millions of pounds for vital conservation work amongst endangered species around the world but particularly in Africa and Asia.

The painting raffle is expected to raise in excess of £100,000 for the Forgotten Heroes appeal and the draw takes place in September. Limited edition prints are also available in aid of the Appeal, from a painting called 'F for Freddie Did Not Return' showing a squadron of bombers under attack. There are 100 prints signed by David Shepherd, the marshal of the Royal Air Force and veterans of Bomber Command for just £150.

*All flights of the vintage BBMF aircraft are dependent on weather. Time of flypast subject to change at short notice but check this website for latest information.

How to buy a raffle ticket or a limited-edition print

For raffle tickets, send a stamped addressed envelope to BCMA Raffle, RAF Coningsby, Lincoln LN4 4SY enclosing a cheque (£10 per ticket) payable to 'BCMA' or follow the link below, where you can also find details of the F for Freddie print.