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Cost of travel funding available for Second World War veterans to attend events in London for the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Funding will be provided for Second World War veterans to go towards the cost of travel to attend events in London for the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Veterans are invited to the national commemorations organised by HM Government taking place in the capital over the VE Day 70 weekend from 8 to 10 May, and it is hoped the funding will enable more to attend.

Second World War veterans wishing to attend the above events are asked to accredit as soon as possible and assistance will be provided to those without access to the internet. All veterans can be accompanied by a companion, or family member and online registration is available at http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ve70vets.

Telephone enquiries regarding registration can be made via 0808 802 8080.

Places will be available for a series of commemorative events over the weekend including on VE Day itself, Friday 8 May, when a Service of Remembrance will be held at The Cenotaph, with a national 2 minute silence at 3pm. On Sunday 10 May, there will a Service of Thanksgiving at 11am at Westminster Abbey attended by HM The Queen, followed by a parade from the Abbey to Horse Guards Parade and into St James’s Park, where the Legion will host a lunch reception for the veterans.

The funding towards travel costs has been made available from through LIBOR fines levied and will be administered the Big Lottery Fund.

Those preferring to attend an event in their own communities closer to home will be welcomed at celebrations across the UK. Event information can be found on the main webpage www.gov.uk/veday70 and local government websites.

More information about VE Day is available on the Legion’s dedicated VE Day website at www.veday.org.uk where members of the public are also invited to share their personal experiences of VE Day.