Mike Penning MP urges WW2 veterans to take advantage of the Heroes Return programme before it closes.

With the 65th Anniversary of VJ Day having recently passed, Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning is joining the Big Lottery Fund in encouraging Second World War veterans and their widows to apply to the fund’s Heroes Return programme before it closes.

Heroes Return provides funding to WW2 veterans from the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland for travel and accommodation costs to visit the places where they saw active service. The grants are available for veterans or their widows, along with spouses and a carer. They can also receive funding to take part in an official commemoration in the UK. Trips must be taken by the end of 2010. Veterans who have already taken trips but are unaware of Heroes Return can apply for retrospective funding until 31st January 2011.

So far over 10,000 people have been awarded funding totalling over £7 million to return to places including Italy, France, Greece, Holland, Germany, USA the Far East and Australia, as well as to make trips within the UK.

Visit http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_heroes_return [1] or call the helpline on 0845 0000 121.

Mike said:
“I urge anyone who is planning a trip – or has taken a trip but was unaware of this funding – to apply. We owe our veterans a great debt and I am delighted that the Heroes Return Fund has been funding trips to enable them to pay their respects to their fallen comrades.”