Veterans urged to secure funding

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The Big Lottery Fund, which distributes half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery, said grants of up to £5,500 are available to pay travel and accommodation costs for the journeys to the battlefields.

Since its launch in April, the Fund's Heroes Return 2 programme has enabled more than 7,500 veterans, widows, spouses and carers to go on such trips.

More than £4.95 million has been given to date and the scheme is open until January 2011.

Many veterans have used grants to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in June and to attend September's memorial events in Holland marking the anniversaries of Operation Market Garden, where almost 1,500 British airborne troops lost their lives.

Others have returned to places including Italy, Greece, Malta, India, the Far East and North Africa.

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the Fund, said: "A huge debt of gratitude and recognition is owed to the men and women who valiantly fought in the Second World War.

"I am delighted we are able to offer Lottery funding for them to return and pay their respects at the places they served and to attend memorial events within the UK.

"The funding is open to veterans who fought with or alongside British forces in the Second World War and are resident in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, as well as their widows and widowers. Anyone wanting to find out more about the programme and how to apply can call the Heroes Return helpline on 0845 00 00 121."

Information is also available on www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.