A FILMMAKER needs to raise £100,000 to make a movie to celebrate the heroism of Colchester paratroopers.

Kajaki will tell the story of Corporal Mark Wright, 27, of 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, who died trying to save soldiers trapped in a minefield in September, 2006.

Its backers have launched a drive to find people to provide the last £100,000.

Kajaki, billed as a modern war movie, aims to celebrate the heroism of Britain’s forces in Afghanistan.

Director Paul Katis said the film, due to be released next November, would not focus on the wider controversy of the conflict.

He said: “It is about ordinary guys who have to learn to be paras. They suddenly find themselves in Afghanistan where their mettle is tested, and that’s intrinsically interesting.

We know hardly anything about what a soldier’s life is like.”

Mr Katis came up with the idea after shooting a film for the Ministry of Defence of troops leaving for Afghanistan. He read about Cpl Wright, posthumously awarded the George Cross, and contacted his parents, Bob and Jem.

Mr and Mrs Wright, who set up the Mark Wright Project to help rehabilitate injured personnel, put Mr Katis in touch with paras who served with Cpl Wright.

Mr Wright is supporting the film. He said: “It’s going to draw a lot of interest. It will help people see what the conditions they have been living in were like and the dangers they went through. I don’t think people realise what it’s like over there.”

With the backing of Gareth Unwin, the Oscarwinning producer of the King’s Speech, Mr Katis has set up up an enterprise investment scheme to attract most of the funding.

Higher rate taxpayers can secure a tax break by pledging funding towards British movies.

On Saturday, a fundraising drive on indiegogo.com went live, offering gifts depending on how much people donate, with £35 securing a credit on the movie.

Anyone donating £2,500 will be made an associate producer, while £1,500 is enough for a private screening. If Kajaki is a success, the £100,000 donated will go to military charities. More than 50 people had donated £4,100 in the first three days.

For more information, visit www.kajakimovie.com