Heroes Return grants available to war veterans

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Normandy Landings and many Second World War veterans will be marking this historic occasion with commemorative visits to the places they served, supported by a Big Lottery Fund grant.

Alison Seabeck, MP for Plymouth Moor View, has been contacted by the fund to make people aware that funding is available for Second World War veterans through the Heroes Return programme.

Through Heroes Return 2, the big Lottery Fund offers Second World War veterans from the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland grants from between £165 to £8,140 towards travel and accommodation expenses to enable them their spouse and carers to make trips back to places across the world where they served, or make a commemorative visit in the UK.

To date they awarded over £28 million to more than 57,000 veterans, their widows, spouses and carers, for journeys in the UK, France, Germany, the Middle East, Far East and beyond.

They are keen to offer the opportunity of funding to as many Second World War veterans as possible.

Alison Seabeck said: “This is a great opportunity for veterans from the Second World War to be able to visit the places they served and for them to share the experience with spouses and carers. I would really encourage anyone who knows a veteran that may be interested to help them in applying for funding through the Big Lottery Fund.”

Further details can be found at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/heroesreturn or by calling the Heroes Return helpline 0845 0000 121. You can also follow the Big lottery Fund on Twitter @biglotteryfund.