Grants available for WWII veterans

The Heroes Return 2 grant, is an extension of the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) programme which has to date awarded around £1.6 million to over two thousand Second World War veterans, widows, spouses and carers across the South East.

BIG recently announced it was extending this landmark programme for a further 12 months, committing more than £1 million in extra good cause funding to WWII veterans, their wives, husbands, widows and widowers and, where required, their present day carers to visit the overseas areas where the veterans saw active service.

Veterans who have not yet been able to travel on BIG grant are being urged to apply.

Fiona Dempsie, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the South East, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the programme has been extended to encourage those who have so far felt unable to make their personal journeys, and I urge veterans across the region to apply now for a commemorative trip in 2011 to revisit the places they served.

“A huge debt of gratitude and recognition is owed by today’s society to that special generation of men and women who fought across the world during the Second World War. They built the peace and protected the freedoms we enjoy today.”

By linking with activities funded through the Their Past Your Future scheme, Heroes Return 2 is also helping young people to get a better understanding of the efforts and sacrifices made by veterans.

• For more information and details of how to apply for a Heroes Return 2 grant call 0845 00 00 121 or visit the website at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/heroes return