Big Lottery Fund

Summary of the programme

The Big Lottery Fund has extended its Heroes Return 2 programme. The programme has no fixed deadline for applications at this time.

This extension is for those veterans who have so far been unable to undertake a commemorative visit. So that as many veterans as possible get this opportunity, we can only fund one visit for each veteran, widow or widower. This means that if a veteran has already received funding for a commemorative visit since April 2009, we would not be able to fund a second visit.

This will ensure Second World War veterans from the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland who are yet to take advantage of the funding, will have more time to apply for grants to cover travel and accommodation expenses and enables them to make trips throughout 2012 back to places across the world where they served. They can also receive funding to take part in an official commemoration in the UK.

In the following podcast we hear from two World War II veterans who have received funding from the Big Lottery Fund. BIG’s Chief Executive Peter Wanless talks about what Heroes Return means to him and the Big Lottery Fund.

Download the podcast transcript Read the transcript from the Heroes Return podcast of Doug Mayman and Ted Hedges. - 21KB

Since 2004 over 50,000 people have made commemorative trips with funding from BIG’s Heroes Return schemes with grants totalling over £24 million.

Are you eligible?

Veterans who fought with or alongside British forces in World War 2 and who are  resident in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. War widows and widowers of veterans are also eligible for funding, and carers and spouses can receive funding to travel with veterans.

What to do next

• Questions about Heroes Return? Find out more
• Read the Heroes Return blog
• View the Heroes Return image gallery
• Watch the Heroes Return video on YouTube

Contact

If you have any questions about the scheme and whether you are eligible, ring the application helpline on 0845 0000 121 or email us at general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk