Royal Mail to release Sir Nicholas Winton stamp in March

A special stamp to honour Sir Nicholas Winton will be issued in March, the Royal Mail has announced.

It will be part of a set of six paying tribute to British humanitarians who have made their mark across various sectors.

News of the timing came four months after the Royal Mail said it would honour the British Schindler, who helped rescue 669 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, following a Jewish News campaign that attracted more than 100,000 supporters.

The Chief Rabbi, Sir Eric Pickles and a host of other politicians have backed our petition as part of efforts to ensure the memory of the Holocaust hero’s actions and the lessons they offer last for future generations. The initiative has been backed by the Holocaust Educational Trust, the Association of Jewish Refugees and Sir Mick Davis, who chaired David Cameron’s Holocaust Commission.

Sir Nicholas, who died this year aged 105, also organised foster families for many of the youngsters but didn’t speak about his actions for half a century.

Hundreds of recommendations for new stamps are received each year from the public, collectors and organisations, with the process usually taking around two years to come to fruition. But the Royal Mail expedited the process for Sir Nicholas after our campaign demonstrated the strength of public opinion for such an honour – with the petition trending on campaign website change.org for several days. Only the stamps honouring the sporting heroes of London 2012 have been turned around quicker.

Each new stamp must be approved by the Queen, whose 90^th birthday is also marked by a special issue in April, before being printed. Agatha Christie, Beatrix Potter and the 400^th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare will also be marked with special sets issued next year.